[因果]{いん・が}: A bass-ackwards contraction?


In Japanese, we often see where the beginnings of multiple words are taken to
make a contraction word.

>   * 短大 → **短** 期 **大** 学 → A juniour college
>   * 収支 → **収** 入と **支** 出 → income and expenditure; earnings and expenses
>   * 国連 → **国** 際 **連** 合 → The United Nations
>   * リモコン → **リモ** ート **コン** トロール → Remote control(ler)
>

However, `因果` is an abbreviation for 原 **因** と結 **果**. I can't say I've seen
any other words formed by combining the end pieces. Why did 因果 come about this
way? Why isn't the abbreviation `原結`?

If you have other examples please list them.

* * *

Edit: Oops, yes, of course I meant `結果`, not `効果`. I was multitasking and my
wires got crossed.




Perhaps the following would reek of Chinese thinking, where 原因 for example is
traditionally thought of as _two_ words.

原因 = 因 of the 原, i.e. causing reason

結果 = 果 which has 結, i.e. the produced result

Both words arose in Chinese as a way to eliminate homophones by adding
redundant adjectives (obviously all reasons are causing, and all results are
produced). The original words are simply 因 and 果; thus they are used in
compounds. Put it another way, the compound "因果" probably is older than the
words "原因" and "結果", which came after sound changes caused much homophones.

This is similar to how 葉{は} had too many homophones and useless っぱ was added,
and 田{た} had too many homophones and んぼ was added; you still use は and た in
compounds though.




Perhaps the following would reek of Chinese thinking, where 原因 for example is
traditionally thought of as _two_ words.

原因 = 因 of the 原, i.e. causing reason

結果 = 果 which has 結, i.e. the produced result

Both words arose in Chinese as a way to eliminate homophones by adding
redundant adjectives (obviously all reasons are causing, and all results are
produced). The original words are simply 因 and 果; thus they are used in
compounds. Put it another way, the compound "因果" probably is older than the
words "原因" and "結果", which came after sound changes caused much homophones.

This is similar to how 葉{は} had too many homophones and useless っぱ was added,
and 田{た} had too many homophones and んぼ was added; you still use は and た in
compounds though.

