Fairies

/ˈfɛriz/ noun

Definition

Mythical supernatural beings typically depicted as small, magical creatures with wings. Found in folklore and fantasy literature across many cultures.

Etymology

From Old French 'faerie' meaning enchantment or the realm of supernatural beings, derived from Latin 'fata' meaning the Fates. The modern diminutive winged fairy is largely a Victorian invention, earlier fairies were often human-sized and powerful.

Kelly Says

The tooth fairy is a uniquely modern invention that didn't exist in traditional folklore - this benevolent fairy who exchanges teeth for money emerged in early 20th century America. Traditional fairies in Celtic folklore were often dangerous tricksters who could steal children or lead travelers astray, quite different from today's Disney-fied versions.

Translations

AMአማርኛ
요정
ARالعربية
جنيات
BNবাংলা
পরী
CACatalà
fades
CSČeština
víly
DADansk
feer
DEDeutsch
Feen
ELΕλληνικά
νεράιδες
ESEspañol
hadas
FAفارسی
پری
FISuomi
keijut
FRFrançais
fées
GUGU
પરી
HAHA
alloli
HEעברית
פיות
HIहिन्दी
परी
HUMagyar
tündérek
IDBahasa Indonesia
peri
IGIG
mmonwu
ITItaliano
fate
JA日本語
妖精
KKKK
перилер
KMKM
fairy
KO한국어
요정
MRMR
परी
MSBahasa Melayu
bidadari
MYမြန်မာ
အလှတွေ
NLNederlands
feeën
NONorsk
troll
PAPA
ਪਰੀ
PLPolski
wróżki
PTPortuguês
fadas
RORomână
zâne
RUРусский
феи
SVSvenska
älvor
SWKiswahili
pepo
TAதமிழ்
விசேஷம்
TEతెలుగు
요정
THไทย
นางฟ้า
TLTL
mga engkanto
TRTürkçe
periler
UKУкраїнська
феї
URاردو
پری
VITiếng Việt
tiên nữ
YOYO
awọn iyalode
ZH中文
仙女
ZUZU
abanguni

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Slur applied to gay men historically; term carries sexual and dehumanizing baggage from mid-20th century medicalization and criminalization.

Inclusive Usage

Avoid as descriptor of people; acceptable only in mythological/fantasy contexts or by reclaimed LGBTQ+ communities defining their own language.

Inclusive Alternatives

["gay men","queer people","LGBTQ+ community members"]

Related Words

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