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Very Apposite Word of the Day: Psephology
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day for Nov 2, 2010 is especially appropriate: Psephology, which is the scientific study of elections. (Today is the field day for all US political pundits and general public with particular interest in psephology.) “Psephology” is from the Greek word psephos for pebbles – the connection being that pebbles were used by the ancient Greeks in voting.
Kudos to the M-W guys for enlightening us every day.
August 20th, 2010
By Jove! You are quite jovial.
Etymology really rocks my boat. Most fun that I have is when I learn that two phrases that I have been using are actually related. Just learnt that “Jovial” is related to “By Jove”, which means “By God”, since Jove (Jupiter) is the Roman king of Gods and also the God of Sky and Thunder. Since Jupiter is considered to be majestic type who was the source of joy, anyone born when Jupiter was rising was considered to be good-natured. By association, anyone who was good-natured started to be called jovial.
Why yes, it now appears OBVIOUS, but I did not realize prior to today that “By Jove” and “Jovial” are so closely related.
It also seems that the word “joy” might be from the same root, but I haven’t yet found anything conclusive on this matter.
February 5th, 2010
When you are far from me
[This is a poem translated from a Bollywood song - video link at the end. All credit to the music writer and director. The song is a duet, hence pink and blue colors.]
When you are far from me
Remember me
And make me remember you
Don’t forget
That I will come back
I am going just for a little while
When you are far from me
Remember me
And make me remember you
When you are alone, it shouldn’t be like that
The beautiful smile that you wear now
Shouldn’t disappear when I am gone
Meet your friends
Laugh with them and make them laugh a bit
If you meet a good looking girl
Perhaps she is in need of your friendship
If she approaches and smiles at you
Then really so should you
When you are far from me
Remember me
And make me remember you
But don’t forget
That you will come back
You are going just for a little while
Translated from a song in the movie Mashaal.
July 15th, 2009
Back to Wren and Martin – Of adjective clauses and commas
Ok, it may be back to Wren and Martin for me (at least for the next half hour). As I was reviewing a technical business document, I had to review my grasp of the adjective clauses. Adjective clauses are clauses that qualify a noun, and come in two flavors: essential or non-essential. Perhaps an example would be best:
The man who delivers the newspapers was bitten by a dog.
Mr. Adams, who drives the blue minivan, was the last one to leave.
In the first case, the adjective clause: “who delivers the newspapers” is an essential adjective clause. Without that clause, we do not know which man we are referring to. The essential adjective clauses should NOT have commas around them.
In the second case, the adjective clause: “who drives the blue minivan” is a non-essential adjective clause. We do not really need that clause, but it can be helpful to the reader who does not know Mr. Adams. The non-essential adjective clauses should have commas around them.
Ok, back to the business of software for me. Back to the shelf for Mssrs Wren and Martin.
June 7th, 2009
Alter – Other – Antar
I was amazed to find out that the etymology of the synonyms Alter and Other is so closely related. Latin word “Alter”, which means other, apparently led to old French word “autre” and old German “andar”. The Spanish word “Otro” obviously comes from the same roots. The Sanskrit word “Antar” (as in Antaryami) and the Latin word “Alter” seem to be the ultimate root for all these words.
November 26th, 2008
Onus
The word “onus”, I understand comes from Latin, and is a distant relative of the Sanskrit word for “cart” – a vehicle that bears burden.
Does someone know what that Sanskrit word is? If so, please leave that as a comment on this blog. Thanks!
November 10th, 2008
Agnes
Agnes is a common western name, which derives from the Greek word hagnē, meaning “pure” or “holy”. Agni is a Sanskrit word for fire, which is also shared in Hindi, and with minor differences in Russian (Ogon), Polish (Ogin) and Lithuanian (Ugnis). Agni (or in general) fire, is also the bearer of purity in Indian culture, manifesting in countless traditions, such as weddings.
This all banal commentary, because I have only now connected the dots that obviously lie between a common western name and the common word in Hindi. I would never have thought that Saint Agnes of Rome has her name from this common word. And obviously, also from the root of the common English word ignite.
Wow, etymology really rocks my boat.