September 10, 2013
- cobalt (noun)
- What does it mean?
- : a tough shiny silver-white magnetic metallic element that is found with iron and nickel and is used especially in alloys
- How do you use it?
- In addition to its many other purposes, cobalt is used in coloring ceramics and glass.
- Are you a word wiz?
"Cobalt"" is a word that went from folklore to science. What do you think "cobalt" referred to in folkloric belief?In the German spoken from about 1100 to about 1500, "kobalt" referred to a usually helpful household elf that pulled nasty tricks only when it was offended. Later, the darker side of the spirit came to the forefront, and "Kobold" was extended to cover a variety of goblins inhabiting the countryside. In the 16th century, miners applied the name "Kobolt" to ores they considered worthless, following a superstition that goblins had spoiled or stolen the silver. The pure form of the metal now known in English as "cobalt" was not described and produced until the early 18th century.