That depends what your question really is? Are you asking about the origins of the expression? It's from a fairy tale: Ali Baba and the 40 robbers.
I you mean why the storyteller choose that phrase? I don't know. My best guess is that the cave was called "Sesame" and hence "Open Sesame" would be the command to the cave to open itself.
Yeah, my question is why sesame was particularly chosen in a magic word. Does sesame have special sense in Arabic world? We can just accept the expression as you pointed out if the cave was actually called Sesame, but I think it's not likely ;)
I'm sorry. I'm overasked. I don't know the answer. Sesame seems to be a plant. I know their seeds are used to put on bread. Alas, that doesn't have any relation to the fairy tale.
That depends what your question really is? Are you asking about the origins of the expression? It's from a fairy tale: Ali Baba and the 40 robbers.
ReplyDeleteI you mean why the storyteller choose that phrase? I don't know. My best guess is that the cave was called "Sesame" and hence "Open Sesame" would be the command to the cave to open itself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Baba
ReplyDeleteYeah, my question is why sesame was particularly chosen in a magic word. Does sesame have special sense in Arabic world? We can just accept the expression as you pointed out if the cave was actually called Sesame, but I think it's not likely ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I read this before I post, and that was unable to show me answer well. Do you have other suggestions that you recommend?
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if the cave's name was actually Sesame: http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/jas/jas100.htm
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. I'm overasked. I don't know the answer.
ReplyDeleteSesame seems to be a plant. I know their seeds are used to put on bread. Alas, that doesn't have any relation to the fairy tale.
However, wikipedia does have an answer to your question.
I always assumed it was a bastardization of, "Open says me".
ReplyDeleteUhmmm...this is brainstorm..I'm amazed. Thanks for the exact link.
ReplyDeleteNow I am wondering why the cave was called Sesame.
But this is another story.
It's similar to slash slash slash dot dot :)
ReplyDeleteSesame stands for immortality, maturity? How nice!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget, it also stands for "Delicious."
ReplyDelete: )
/Glad to see everyone else filled in the blanks.
Really?
ReplyDelete