413
submitted 9 months ago by Stamets@lemmy.world to c/funny@lemmy.world
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] splatt9990@lemmy.ml 93 points 9 months ago

In Islamic/pre-Islamic mythology (over simplifying greatly) genies are actually trapped demons forced into servitude long ago by human sorcerers. They must comply with your wish but use any ambiguity they can as a form of malicious compliance. It's also worth noting that the idea of genies granting 3 wishes is mostly a western invention and is also likely influenced by Christian ideas of "deals with the devil" (see Foust for how that usually works out for the wisher)

[-] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

I thought the 3 wishes came from the story of the Monkey's Paw

[-] splatt9990@lemmy.ml 21 points 9 months ago

The monkey's paw comes from a short story of the same name by W.W. Jacobs back in 1902. It seems the genie that grants three wishes dates all the way back to 1697 in "The Ridicuolous Wishes" by Charles Perrault.

[-] Akasazh@feddit.nl 7 points 9 months ago

This is the most askhistorians moment on Lemmy for me, thus far, I would like to read your thesis.

Thnx!

[-] splatt9990@lemmy.ml 5 points 9 months ago

Oh, I'm not a historian, that's actually just a few vaguely informed wikipedia searches. The extent of my education on Islam and Islamic culture is just a world religions class back in HS.

[-] Akasazh@feddit.nl 1 points 9 months ago

Yeah but you just scratched that itch, by knowing something about a niche subject. Hence me saying it felt like that.

I think it's s veiled compliment for your comment if nothing else.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (5 replies)
this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2024
413 points (97.7% liked)

Funny: Home of the Haha

5707 readers
924 users here now

Welcome to /c/funny, a place for all your humorous and amusing content.

Looking for mods! Send an application to Stamets!

Our Rules:

  1. Keep it civil. We're all people here. Be respectful to one another.

  2. No sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia or any other flavor of bigotry. I should not need to explain this one.

  3. Try not to repost anything posted within the past month. Beyond that, go for it. Not everyone is on every site all the time.


Other Communities:

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS