Χαΐα

genuine, fine, true

Translated by Roger Travis · 22 Jun 1999 · Vetting: high · 6 revisions

Translation

Meaning good. From the [verb] to gape. Aristophanes [writes]: "she is fine [...], and what is more, Corinthian". That is, a prostitute. Since Corinth was full of prostitutes.

Greek original

Χαΐα· ἀντὶ τοῦ ἀγαθή. παρὰ τὸ κεχηνέναι. Ἀριστοφάνης· χαΐα μέν ἐστι, Κορινθία δέ. τουτέστι πόρνη. ἐπεὶ ἡ Κόρινθος ἐπληθύνετο πόρναις.

Betacode

*xai/+a: a)nti\ tou= a)gaqh/. para\ to\ kexhne/nai. *)aristofa/nhs: xai/+a me/n e)sti, *korinqi/a de/. toute/sti po/rnh. e)pei\ h( *ko/rinqos e)plhqu/neto po/rnais.

Notes

An approximation (and abridgement) of a Laconian-dialect passage in Aristophanes, Lysistrata 90-91 (abridged), with comment from the scholia there.
The original statement does not, as here, involve a me/n/de/ contrast; rather, the link between the two parts of the statement is "simply connective" (Henderson); hence the etymology suggested is not implausible, whether it refers to external signs (the buttocks) or is suggestive of sexual habits.
The cult of Aphrodite in Corinth involved sacred prostitution, so called (OCD(4) s.v. [pp.1226-7] points out the modernity of the term); see e.g. Strabo 8.20.20. (Pindar records the dedication of a large number of them at fr. 122.) In any case, the connection between Corinth and the sex-trade is ubiquitious in the sources; cf. e.g. omicron 924, chi 601.

References

Aristophanes, Lysistrata, edited with introduction and commentary by Jeffrey Henderson (Oxford 1987)

Neighbours in Adler order

χ1ΧαβρίαςKhabrias,Chabrias χ2ΧαγάνοςKhagan, Khan χ3ΧαγάνοςKhagan, Khan χ4Χαΐαgenuine, fine, true χ5Χάλαζαhail, hailstorm χ6Χαλαζᾷis hailing χ7Χαλαράloose [ones], open [ones]

Revisions (6)

1 Aug 2014David Whiteheadupdated a ref
5 Aug 2011David Whiteheadaugmented notes
22 Apr 2010David Whiteheadmore keywords; tweaks and cosmetics
23 Nov 2001David Whiteheadmodified translation; augmented notes and keywords
22 Jun 1999Roger Travistranslated

Greek original

Betacode

*xai/+a: a)nti\ tou= a)gaqh/. para\ to\ kexhne/nai. *)aristofa/nhs: xai/+a me/n e)sti, *korinqi/a de/. toute/sti po/rnh. e)pei\ h( *ko/rinqos e)plhqu/neto po/rnais.

Notes

An approximation (and abridgement) of a Laconian-dialect passage in Aristophanes, Lysistrata 90-91 (abridged), with comment from the scholia there.
The original statement does not, as here, involve a me/n/de/ contrast; rather, the link between the two parts of the statement is "simply connective" (Henderson); hence the etymology suggested is not implausible, whether it refers to external signs (the buttocks) or is suggestive of sexual habits.
The cult of Aphrodite in Corinth involved sacred prostitution, so called (OCD(4) s.v. [pp.1226-7] points out the modernity of the term); see e.g. Strabo 8.20.20. (Pindar records the dedication of a large number of them at fr. 122.) In any case, the connection between Corinth and the sex-trade is ubiquitious in the sources; cf. e.g. omicron 924, chi 601.