The term ‘arduous‘ originates from the Latin word ‘arduus,‘ which means ‘high,‘ ‘steep,‘ or ‘difficult.‘ It has connotations of something that is hard to climb or overcome. The word made its way into Middle English as ‘arduous,‘ maintaining much of the same meaning, referring to tasks or journeys that require significant effort, labor, or endurance.

The word ‘voyage‘ comes from the Old French term ‘voige,‘ which emerged from the Latin ‘viaticum,‘ meaning ‘provisions for a journey‘ or ‘travel.‘ Over time, ‘voyage‘ evolved to specifically signify a long journey involving travel by sea.

When combined, ‘arduous voyages‘ evokes the concept of challenging and labor-intensive journeys, particularly those that demand great physical and mental effort, often associated with maritime travel. The phrase reflects the struggles encountered during such journeys, emphasizing the difficulty of navigating the challenges of distance and the unpredictability of the sea.