I require answers!

[azilut]

Here's a question for you Englishey types.

The sirens in Greek mythology sang a beautiful song that lured sailors to their doom. An alarm "siren" makes a horrible noise that is supposed to keep you out of harm's way. How the hell did the latter get named after the former?

Comments

[azilut]

That might be an alternate spelling, but it is commonly spelled "siren". There are three definitions of "Siren" in modern English: the warning signal, a seductive woman, and a type of salamander. A quick etymology search indicates that all three derive from the greek "Seiren".

[azilut]

Hmm, that's an interesting point, I'll look into it.

I wish I knew what the greek root word actually meant.

OED to the rescue

[_dubiosity_]

Siren (n

I knew there was a reason I talk to geeks...

[azilut]

Thank you. That sounds reasonable - it started out as a musical instrument, and the name carried over to other sound-producing instruments that used the same design principles.

[porphyre]

After thinking about it for a short time, it also occured to me that it could be an annoucement sound for danger. The point of Sirens was to lure men to crash thier ships upon the rocks. The sound equaled danger.