kallikantzaros

Meaning

Noun

• A mythical, malevolent goblin-like spirit of Southeastern European and Anatolian folklore.

Origin

• There is some debate about the etymology of this term. Berhand Schmidt conjectures that it is derived from two Turkish words meaning "black" and "werewolf". Paulikianos suggest that it is a euphemistic term combining kalos “handsome”, cf. an Arm. word for demons, mezmé aléknerë “the ones better (or prettier) than us”.