Where Does “Tragedy” Come From? The Mystery of the Goat Song
“Tragedy” comes from ancient Greek tragodia — a compound of tragos (goat) and ode (song) — literally “goat song.” Why a goat? Several theories exist: a goat was the prize in early dramatic competitions; actors wore goat-skin costumes; the chorus performed at a ceremony involving a goat sacrifice. The precise reason is debated, but the word is one of the most richly mysterious etymologies in the arts.