My Big Fat Greek Wording > a trevia July 25, 2006
Posted by grhomeboy in HMN>LearnToSpeakGreek.trackback
Let’s see how good you are!
Welcome to my Big Fat Greek Wording! Can you determine the Greek root and meaning that links each pair of following English words?
Sample: cryptic, cryptogram. Answer: Both are from the Greek root “crypt,” meaning secret, hidden.
English word pairs:
1. chrysanthemum, chrysalis
2. planet, plankton
3. melancholy, melanoma
4. rhinoceros, rhinoplasty
5. know, agnostic
6. pathetic, sympathy
7. appendectomy, tome
8. odometer, electrode
9. taxidermy, tactics
10. philanthropy, philosophy
Answers:
1. “Chrysos” – gold, yellow. One of the most common colors of the chrysanthemum flower is yellow. “Chrysalis” originally referred to the gold-colored pupa of butterflies but now means any insect pupa.
2. “Planasthai” – to wander. The erratic movements of the planets led the Greeks to call them “wanderers.” “Plankton” is so called because it consists of minute plant and animal life that wander or drift in bodies of water.
3. “Melas” – black. The Greeks believed “melancholia” (sadness) was caused by an excess of black bile. A “melanoma” is a malignant tumor containing dark pigment.
4. “Rhino” – related to the nose. A rhinoceros has a horn or horns on its snout. Rhinoplasty is plastic surgery performed on the nose, usually for cosmetic purposes.
5. “Gignoskein” – to know. “Know” derives from “gignoskein” through the Latin “gnoscere.” An “agnostic” believes that the existence and/or nature of God is unknown or unknowable.
6. “Pathos” – suffering, experience, feeling. A situation that is pathetic has the capacity to induce feelings, especially pity, in others. Sympathy is having feeling for others, especially for their suffering.
7. “Tomi” – to cut. In an appendectomy, the appendix is cut out. Originally, a tome was a volume cut or separated from a larger work, though “tome” is now used to mean a large book.
8. “Odos” – way, road. An odometer measures the road, while an electrode provides a way or path for an electrical charge.
9. “Taxis” – order, arrangement. A taxidermist puts an animal’s remains in order, while tactics are arrangements, plans.
10. “Phil” – love. A philanthropist loves human beings, while a philosopher loves wisdom.
