Events that 'occur' are metaphorically running toward you — from Latin 'currere' (to run) + 'ob-' (toward).
To happen or take place; to come to mind as a thought or idea; to be found or encountered in a place or under particular conditions.
From Latin 'occurrere' (to run toward, to meet, to present itself), composed of 'ob-' (toward, against) and 'currere' (to run). The literal Latin sense was physical: to run toward someone, to run to meet them. This produced both the sense 'to happen' (an event runs toward you, presents itself to you) and 'to come to mind' (an idea runs toward your consciousness). The shift from active running to passive happening is the key semantic evolution. Key roots: ob-/oc- (Latin: "toward
In Spanish, 'ocurrir' means 'to happen' — just as in English. But 'ocurrírsele a alguien' means 'to occur to someone' as an idea. Italian goes further: 'occorrere' primarily means 'to be necessary' — the event that runs toward you is the thing you need. Same Latin verb, three different metaphorical destinations across