Today's fact is conveniently the official currency of Ukraine. Though spelled hryvnia when transliterated to Latin letters from Ukrainian Cyrillic, in common Russian (the predominate language here) usage it sounds more like grivna. According to the frequently semi-accurate Wikipedia, the hryvnia has only been in circulation since 1996 when it was exchanged at a rate of 1 to 100,000 for the nearly worthless former currency, the karbovanet.The original use of hryvnia dates to 11th century Kievan Rus' (an empire centered on Kiev which consisted of much of present-date Ukraine, Belarus and western Russian) where it was also the official currency. The entomology of the word is thought to have come from the early Slavic word griva, meaning mane, which was thought to be a reference to valuable metals worn as necklaces. It later evolved into a designation of a standard weight of gold or silver ingot.
The exchange rate is a hair over 5 hryvnia to the dollar which is much more favorable than most European currencies.
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I had a Hryvnia once in high school...it required surgery to fix it but since then I've had no problems turning my head and coughing.
ReplyDeleteHey I remember that! Didn't you have to get a special "trim job" for that one. Hahahahaha
ReplyDeleteHigh and tight on the left, shaggy and hippie on the right.
ReplyDeleteThat's sweet!
ReplyDelete