Nov 30, 2013

42: Etymology






ETYMOLOGY
The word etymology is derived from the Greek etumos which means real or true. The ending ology suggests the study/science of something, as in biology or geology. And that is the etymology of etymology. It is the study of the origins of words; how they evolved. 
The Ancient Greek word hippos means horse. And potamus means river. Hence hippopotamus literally means river horse.

A few other parts of words derived from Ancient Greek are tele (long distance), micro (small), phone (speak), and scope (look). From these come such words as telephone, telescope, microphone, and microscope.

I. In small groups, come up with a definition for the following words. Then try to imagine its origin. Be creative!

ASSASSINS - UTOPIA - SALARY - ROBOT - CARNIVAL




II. Before watching the segment, make a guess about the origin and meaning of the following words:

SYMPATHY - PHILADELPHIA

Sympathy - Origin

a) Latin
b) Anglo-Saxon
c) Greek
d) Germanic
e) Persian
f) Slavic

Sympathy - Meaning

a) to love
b) to suffer
c) to mercy
d) to sin
e) to help
f) to lose


Philadelphia - Origin

a) Latin
b) Anglo-Saxon
c) Greek
d) Germanic
e) Sioux
f) Apachian


Philadelphia - Meaning

a) Brotherly Love
b) Mother Nature
c) North Sunset
d) Land of the Children
e) Winds of Hills
f) Green Plain

III. Watch the segment and check your answers.


WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - 42

Answer Key:

II.  Check your answers below:


Assassins:
During the time of the Crusades the members of a certain secret Muslim sect terrorized their Christian enemies. These acts were carried out under the influence of hashish, and so the killers became known as hashshashin, meaning eaters or smokers of hashish. Hashshashin evolved into the word assassin.


Utopia:
"Utopia" is ancient Greek in origin and means "Not" + "Place"; in other words, "nowhere".

Salary:
The ancient Roman word salarium has developed into today's word salary, which is the money we earn from employment. The Roman were originally paid in salt. The Latin word for salt is sal.

Robot:
Comes from the Czech word robota, meaning "forced labour" or "hard work".

Carnival
This word for a fun festival is related to such words as carnal and carnivore. It originated as a word for a festival  in which the eating of meat was forbidden. Carnival literally means the withholding of meat.



III.

Simpathy:
GREEK WORD - SUFFER


Philadelphia:
GREEK - BROTHERLY LOVE

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