The word "divi" is commonly spelled with two different variations: "divvy" and "divvy up". The difference between the two variations is in the pronunciation of the short "i" sound. In "divvy," the "i" sound is pronounced as /ɪ/, while in "divvy up," the "i" sound is pronounced as /i/. The spelling of the word is likely influenced by its colloquial usage in spoken language, where pronunciation often takes precedence over strict adherence to spelling rules.
Divi is a noun that refers to a unit of currency used in Sri Lanka, which is equal to one-tenth of a Sri Lankan rupee. It is derived from the Sinhalese word "diwiya," which means a division. The divi is considered to be the smallest denomination of currency in Sri Lanka.
Historically, the divi was introduced in the 19th century during the British colonial period. It was originally minted in copper, and later in bronze, to facilitate small transactions. Over time, as the value of the rupee increased, the purchasing power of the divi diminished, rendering it practically obsolete. Today, the divi exists mainly as a commemorative coin rather than a circulating currency.
In addition to its role as a monetary unit, the divi is also associated with the concept of sharing or distributing. This usage can be seen in phrases such as "divvy up," which means dividing something among several people or parties, or "dividend," which refers to a portion of profit distributed to shareholders.
Overall, the divi holds historical and cultural significance in Sri Lanka as a former currency denomination, as well as being used metaphorically to denote the act of division or sharing.
The word "divi" has multiple possible origins, depending on the context. Here are a few:
1. In Roman mythology:
- The term "divi" is the plural form of "divus", which means "god" or "deified". It is derived from the Latin word "divus", meaning "divine" or "godly".
2. In finance and investment:
- "Divi" is short for "dividend", which refers to the portion of a company's profits distributed to its shareholders. The term "dividend" comes from the Latin word "dividendum", meaning "thing to be divided".
3. In Sri Lanka:
- In Sinhalese, "divi" means "island". This term is used to refer to Sri Lanka as "The Pearl of the Indian Ocean" and is derived from the Old Indo-Aryan word "dīpa".