According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, the term "nostalgia" was originally coined by Johannes Hofer, a medical student in 1678 to refer to "the pain a sick person feels because he wishes to return to his native land, and fears never to see it again". Its original meaning--referring to a serious medical disorder--has been lost as the word nostalgia entered everyday language.
Cases resulting in death were known, and soldiers were sometimes successfully treated by being discharged and sent home. Receiving a diagnosis was, however, generally regarded as an insult. Cases of nostalgia, which sometimes occurred as epidemics, were less frequent when armies were victorious and more frequent when they suffered reverses.
Today, nostalgia is more commonly referred to as a feeling that any normal person can have. (Phew!) Nostalgia can often be associated with a fond childhood memory, seeing old friends, or a treasured personal object. How many of you are feeling nostalgic? What are your symptoms?
2 comments:
Debby, I'm with you. Music always takes me back. And, because I have no pictures, I never thought pictures would make me nostalgic, but after seeing the ones you guys have been sending and the ones on the website, they do too. What has made me the most nostalgic of all so far, have been the chats. So many stories, so little time.
The Band Reunion!!! that was a total Nostalgic moment for me.
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