The spelling of the word "Eloi" comes from the ancient Greek "Ἠλοῖ" (ēloi). In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ɪˈlɔɪ/. This word means "my God" or "my Lord". It is often used in biblical texts and is found in Mark 15:34 when Jesus is on the cross and says, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The spelling of Eloi has remained consistent throughout history, being passed down from Greek to Latin and then into various modern languages.
Eloi is a noun referring to a fictional humanoid species created by H.G. Wells in his science fiction novel, "The Time Machine." The term "Eloi" is derived from an unknown language introduced in the book. In Wells' story, the Eloi inhabit a future world where humanity has evolved into two distinct species. They are portrayed as physically attractive, fragile, and childlike beings who live a leisurely and carefree existence. The Eloi are characterized as being unintelligent, lacking curiosity and ambition, and living in harmony with nature.
Additionally, the Eloi are depicted as the descendants of the leisure class, while the other dominant species in the future world, the Morlocks, are the descendants of the working class. The Eloi primarily live above ground, while the Morlocks dwell underground and surface only during the night to prey upon the Eloi.
The term "Eloi" has transcended Wells' novel and is often used metaphorically to describe individuals or groups that appear passive, complacent, or lack motivation. It can also suggest a privileged or utopian lifestyle marked by a disconnection from reality or societal concerns. Furthermore, the term has found resonance in discussions related to social stratification, class divisions, and the potential consequences of unbalanced progress.
The word "Eloi" can be traced back to a 19th-century science fiction novel called "The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells, published in 1895. In the novel, the Eloi are a race of future humans who live in a dystopian society. However, it is unclear where Wells derived the term "Eloi" from for his story. Some theories suggest that he created the word himself as a purely fictional term, while others speculate that it might be derived from the Hebrew word "Elohim", which means gods or deities. However, these theories remain speculative, and the true etymology of the word "Eloi" as used in Wells' novel remains uncertain.