Kimono, Koumbaro, Ki Oppa: The Many Meanings In My Big Fat Greek Wedding

In the 2002 romantic comedy film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the character Gus Portokalos claims that the word kimono comes from the Greek word himona or cheimonas, meaning winter. He goes on to explain that a robe is worn in the wintertime to stay warm, drawing a connection between the words robe and kimono. While this claim is made in a humorous context, the actual origin of the word kimono is Japanese, with no direct connection to Greek.

Gus Portokalos' belief in the Greek origin of the word 'kimono'

In the 2002 romantic comedy film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Gus Portokalos is a proud Greek father who believes that every ailment can be cured by Windex and that the root of every word can be understood by knowing Greek. He often challenges people to "give me a word, any word, and I'll show you that the root of that word is Greek".

When asked to explain the etymology of the word "kimono", Gus confidently asserts that it originates from the Greek word "himona" or "kimona", which means "winter". He further explains that a kimono is a robe worn during winter to stay warm. This belief in the Greek origin of the word "kimono" showcases Gus' strong conviction in the prevalence and influence of the Greek language.

Gus' character in the movie embodies the idea that Greeks should educate non-Greeks about Greek culture, and he takes pride in his heritage. He goes to great lengths to connect words and concepts back to Greece, even if they are not always correct. His belief in the Greek origin of the word "kimono" is a humorous example of his unwavering commitment to his Greek heritage and his eagerness to showcase the importance of the Greek language.

Despite Gus' imaginative attempts to trace words back to Greek roots, he does make a valid point about the influence of Greek in many words. Greek and Latin roots form word families, and learning these roots can help infer the meaning of many words. This is evident in words like "circumference" and "circumvent", which both contain the prefix "circum-", meaning "around".

The Greek word 'himona' or cheimonas means 'winter'

In the film *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*, Gus Portokalos claims that the word "kimono" comes from the Greek word "himona" or "cheimonas", which means "winter". He goes on to explain that people wear robes in the winter to stay warm, drawing a connection between the words "robe" and "kimono".

While the character's assertion is made in jest, there is a grain of truth to it. The word "kimono" does have a connection to the concept of winter. In Japanese, "ki" can mean "wear" and "mono" can mean "thing", so "kimono" can be understood as "a thing to wear". This is appropriate given that winter is the season when people typically wear more clothing to stay warm.

However, it is important to clarify that the Greek word for "winter" is not "himona" or "cheimonas", as stated in the movie. The correct Greek word for "winter" is "cheimonas", which is pronounced as "chey-MOH-nahss" and is derived from the Greek word "cheimazō", meaning "to freeze or be frosty".

The similarity between "cheimonas" and "kimono" is purely coincidental, and the origin of the word "kimono" is unrelated to the Greek language. In Japanese, "kimono" is written as "着物", with the kanji characters "着" meaning "to wear" and "物" meaning "thing".

In conclusion, while the connection between "kimono" and the Greek word for "winter" may be a humorous coincidence, it is important to distinguish between the accurate linguistic information and the lighthearted portrayal in the film.

Gus Portokalos' belief in the Greek origin of words

In the 2002 romantic comedy film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", Gus Portokalos is the father of the protagonist, Toula Portokalos. Gus is a proud Greek man who firmly believes that the root of any word can be traced back to the Greek language. This belief is demonstrated in a scene where Gus challenges those around him to "give me a word, any word, and I show you that the root of that word is Greek".

When asked about the word "kimono", Gus confidently asserts that it originates from the Greek word "himona", which means "winter". He explains that during winter, people wear robes to keep warm, and thus, the word "robe" is similar to "kimono". This scene highlights Gus's strong conviction in the Greek origin of words, even if the connection seems tenuous or far-fetched.

Gus's character embodies the comedic and endearing aspects of the film, showcasing his unwavering pride in his Greek heritage and culture. His belief in the Greek root of words serves as a recurring theme in the movie, reinforcing the idea that Greeks have influenced various aspects of modern life. This conviction is also reflected in his assertion that "there are two kinds of people—Greeks, and everyone else who wish they was Greek".

Gus's belief in the Greek origin of words extends beyond "kimono". He also claims that the last name "Miller" comes from the Greek word "milo", meaning "apple". Similarly, he states that their family name, "Portokalos", derives from the Greek word "portokali", which means "orange". Through these assertions, Gus illustrates his unwavering belief in the pervasive influence of the Greek language and culture.

Gus Portokalos' belief in the necessity of marriage and childbearing for women

Gus Portokalos, the stubborn Greek father of Toula Portokalos in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, believes that women should not be educated and should instead focus on getting married and having children. He thinks that the role of women is to be wives and mothers, and that their worth is measured by their ability to fulfil these traditional gender roles.

This is evident in a scene from the movie where Gus tells his daughter Toula and her mother Maria: "It is [a] mistake to educate women, but nobody [listens] to me 'cause now we have a boyfriend in the house! Is he [a] nice Greek boy? Oh no no Greek! No Greek xeno! Xeno with the long hair on top of his head!" Here, Gus expresses his disapproval of Toula pursuing higher education and his preference for her to marry a Greek man.

Gus's belief in the necessity of marriage and childbearing for women is further reinforced by his reaction to learning that Toula is taking courses at a local college. He states, "You better get married soon. You're starting to look... old!" Gus equates a woman's worth with her youth and believes that her worth diminishes as she ages, further pressuring her to marry quickly.

Gus's traditional and patriarchal views on gender roles are also reflected in his interactions with Toula's mother, Maria. When Maria defends Toula's decision to pursue education, Gus retorts, "So what for she needs more school? She's smart enough for a girl." He undermines Maria's role as a homemaker and caregiver, suggesting that her intelligence is irrelevant because her primary duty is to run the household and raise their children.

Gus's insistence on marriage and childbearing for women is not just directed at Toula but is a broader belief he holds about the role of women in society. He states, "Greeks marry Greeks to breed more Greeks, to be loud breeding Greek eaters." This suggests that he sees marriage and procreation as a duty for Greeks, reinforcing his ethnocentric worldview.

In summary, Gus Portokalos's belief in the necessity of marriage and childbearing for women stems from his traditional and patriarchal values. He thinks that women should aspire to be wives and mothers above all else and that their worth is measured by their ability to fulfil these roles. His views reflect a broader societal expectation for women to conform to gender norms, with their education and career aspirations often taking a back seat to their domestic responsibilities.

The importance of food in Greek culture

In the film *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*, the character Gus Portokalos claims that the word 'kimono' comes from the Greek word 'himona', meaning 'winter'. He goes on to say that 'in the wintertime, you wear a robe to keep warm. Robe, kimono – there you go!'

Now, onto the importance of food in Greek culture.

Food is an integral part of Greek culture, with family meals around the table being the essence of Greek food culture. Greek food is characterised by the use of extra virgin olive oil and feta cheese, which are considered foundational ingredients that Greeks are not willing to substitute or replace. In fact, olive oil is used in almost every Greek dish, and Greece dedicates 60% of its arable land to growing olive trees.

Greek cuisine also features a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses, nuts, dairy products like Greek yoghurt, fish, and small amounts of meat. The Mediterranean diet, which Greek cuisine falls under, is considered one of the healthiest in the world due to the quality and variety of ingredients used. Greek dishes are typically full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, which contribute to good health.

In Greece, dining out is a social event where people gather to share food, drinks, and good company. Meals often go on for hours, providing an ideal setting for discussions and socialisation. This tradition of sharing food and socialising is deeply rooted in Greek culture, with the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus stating, 'we should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink'.

When it comes to mealtimes, Greeks typically have a light breakfast or skip it altogether, opting for a coffee and a small snack during the morning. Lunch is usually the main meal of the day and is eaten between 2 pm and 5 pm. Dinner is often a light snack or leftovers from lunch, eaten later in the evening, especially when dining out with friends.

During important holidays and celebrations, such as Greek Easter, food preparation can take days, and the time spent consuming these special meals is equally lengthy. Greeks also enjoy eating with friends and family, even if it's not a special occasion. Food is a physical manifestation of love and hospitality in Greek culture, and cooking is a ritualistic and enjoyable process.

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