Helicon and the Muses = Books? A Fanciful Etymology from John Tzetzes

A scholiast records the following fun (but wildly ridiculous) etymology for “Helicon” and its association with the Muses:

“Helicon, according to Tzetzes, refers to books, into which the Muses are rolled (helissontai) and collected together as though they were dancing.”

Έλικὼν δὲ κατὰ Τζέτζην αἱ βίβλοι, εἰς ἅς έλισσονται καὶ συστρέφονται καὶ ὁιονεὶ χορεύουσιν αἱ Μοῦσαι.

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