You learn something new every day

I don't know if you saw the interesting programme on the BBC about CS Lewis and the Narnia books the other day. It featured someone who could have won mastermind with his specialist knowledge. I also found out something I never knew.

Namely, that the seven days of the week are named after the Roman names for the seven visible planets. But to appreciate this fully you are better connecting them to the Italian (French and Spanish work just as well) days of the week:

• lunedì = moon = Monday (the word lunatic comes from the same source)

• martedì = Mars = Tuesday (English uses the equivalent Germanic god Tiu)

• mercoledì = Mercury = Wednesday (as above, with god Woden)

• giovedì = Jupiter = Thursday (as above, with Norse god Thor)

• venerdì = Venus = Friday (as above, with Germanic god Frigg)

• sabato = Saturn = Saturday

• domenica = Sunday (whilst English retains the sun connection, the Italian is based on 'the Lord's day'. It is the only Italian day not based on one of the planets)

Lots of you probably knew this already, but it was a revelation to me. It is also good for remembering the planets.

[the featured planet is Saturn]