Where
Mercury Got It's Name
Despite it’s techno appearance
and very 90’s visual qualities ( I hear silver is a very popular
color at all
the good clubbin spots), Mercury is fairly old.
Mercury has been known since around1500BC in Egypt and the ancient
Chinese and Hindus are thought to have early knowledge of the element. For
example, the first Emperor’s tomb, a miniature model of the capital city was
constructed and the rivers were filled with mercury (Tirpack,
Megan). Vials of
Mercury have been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. Although it’s been around,
Mercury wasn’t dubbed “Mercury” until the 6th century. The element ended up being named after the planet.
Hg, Mercury’s symbol, is 
from the
Latin word “hydrargyrum” or
“liquid silver”. This is where
Mercury gets its nickname “quick silver”. Antoine Laurent Lavoisier was the
French scientist who declared Mercury a metal in the late 1700’s (Zerzan, Andy
“Chemistry-The Quicksilver”). Also, stating the obvious, Mercury has a very
bright, metallic gleam to it and is the only metal element that comes in travel
size liquid form at room temperature. (Zinc Group Element Mercury, Encyclopedia
Britannica Online)