Radio Omniglot

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Muyu (प्हगाल ङुर), a Greater Magaric language spoken in central Nepal, and Sikkim in the northeast of India. Ilianen (Iliyanen), a Central Manobo language spoken in Mindanao in the Philippines. New constructed script: Pallawa Myansatuyin, an alternative way to write Indonesian and other […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we investigate some impeccable peccadillos. Pecadillos / Little Indulgences A peccadillo [ˌpɛ.kəˈdɪ.loʊ / ˌpɛ.kəˈdɪ.ləʊ] is a small flaw or sin, a petty offence, a minor misdemeanor, or an infraction of an ethical code. It comes from Spanish pecadillo [pe.kaˈð̞i.ʝo] (a minor sin or pecadillo), a diminutive of pecado (sin) from […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Kharpa, which is used to write Bhujel (प्हगाल ङुर), a Greater Magaric language spoken in central Nepal, and Sikkim in northeast India. New language pages: Bhujel (प्हगाल ङुर), a Greater Magaric language spoken in central Nepal, and Sikkim in northeast India. Tera, a […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover what connects the words energy, work. Meanings of energy [ˈɛnədʒi / ˈɛnɚdʒi] include the impetus behind all motion and all activity; the capacity to do work; a quantity that denotes the ability to do work (in physics), and so on. It comes from Middle French énergie (energy), from […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Wawonii (Wowoni), a Celebic language spoken on Wawonii Island in Southeast Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. u̠t-Ma’in, a Northwest Kainji language spoken in the northwest of Nigeria. Karitiâna (Yjxa), a Tupian language spoken in Rondônia in the North Region of Brazil. New constructed script: […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover what connects the words spider, spin and spangle. A spider [ˈspaɪ̯də / ˈspaɪ̯dɚ] is any of various eight-legged, predatory arthropods of the order Araneae, most of which spin webs to catch prey. (Other meanings are available). The verb to spider means to move like a spider, to cover […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Bowili (Tuwuli), a Kwa language spoken in the Volta Region in southeastern Ghana. Alagwa (Alaagwa’isa), a South Cushitic language spoken in the Dodoma Region in central Tanzania. Lela (c’Lélà), a Northwest Kainji language spoken in the northwest of Nigeria. New constructed script: Phoenixian, […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what connects the words furnish and perform. To furnish [ˈfɜːnɪʃ / ˈfɝnɪʃ] means to provide a place with furniture, or other equipment, to supply or give (something), or to supply (somebody) with something. It comes from Middle English furnishen (to fit out or equip, to provide or […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kanembu (Kanembou / كَنٜݦُ), a Western Saharan language spoken in southeastern Chad. Teda (Tedaga), a Western Saharan language spoken in Chad, Libya and Niger. Afade (Afaɗə), a Chadic language spoken in northern Cameroon and northeastern Nigeria. New numbers page: Bowili (Tuwili), a Kwa […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what connects the words taxi, task, tax and taste. A taxi [ˈtaksɪj / ˈtæksi] is a vehicle, usually a car, that may be hired for single journeys by members of the public, particularly one with an automated meter to calculate the fare. As a verb, to taxi […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Eipo (Lik Yuke), an Eastern Mek language spoken in the Highland Papua province in eastern Indonesian. Tontemboan, a North Minahasan language spoken in northern Sulawesi in Indonesia. Meru (Kĩmĩĩrũ), a Northeast Bantu language spoken in central Kenya. New adapted script: Cyrillic-Kiswahili (Кисирили-Кису’ахили), a […...

In this Adventure in Etymology we wend our way through the origins of the word wend. Wend [wɛnd] means to direct (one’s way or course), to pursue one’s way, or to proceed upon some course or way, and used to mean to turn, to change, to adapt, to veer, to pass away, to disappear, to […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Ahwai (indùn), a Plateau language spoken in Kaduna State in central Nigeria. Gokana (Gòkánà), an East Ogoni language spoken in Rivers State in southern Nigeria. Hasha (Hàshà), an Alumic language spoken in Nasarawa State in the North Central region of Nigeria. New constructed […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we uncover the gratefully pleasing roots of the word grace. As a noun grace [ɡɹeɪs] can mean: Charming, pleasing qualities. A short prayer of thanks before or after a meal. Elegant movement; elegance of movement; balance or poise. Favor, sanction or beneficence. As a verb to grace can mean: To […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Koyra Chiini (koyra ciini / كࣷيْرَ ٺِينِ), a Songhay language spoken mainly in the Tombouctou Region in southern Mali. Korandje (Kwạṛa n dzyəy), a Northern Songhay language spoken in Béchar Province in the northwest of Algeria. Vagla, a Southern Gur language spoken in […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover what links the word beam with words for tree. Meanings of beam [ˈbiːm] include any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use; one of the transverse members of a ship’s frame on which the decks are laid; a ray […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Firan (Fɨràn), a West-Central Plateau language spoken in Plateau State in central Nigeria. Buli, a Gur language spoken in the Upper East Region in northern Ghana. Mpade (Mpadɨ), a Chadic language spoken in northern Cameroon and southwest Chad. New numbers page: Baoulé, a […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover what links the words feeble and foible with bleating and bells. Feeble [ˈfiːbəl] means deficient in physical strength; lacking force, vigour or effectiveness in action or expression, or faint. It comes from Middle English feble [ˈfeːbəl / ˈfeːblə] (feeble, weak, insidious), from Anglo-Norman feble (weak, feeble), from Latin […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Leonese (Llionés), a Ibero-Romance language spoken mainly in the northwest of Spain. Angaataha (Angaatɨha), a Trans-New Guinea language spoken in Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea. Northwest Gbaya (Làì / Kàrà), an Atlantic-Congo language spoken in Cameroon and the Central African Republic. New […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Upper Necaxa Totonac, a Central Totonac language spoken in Puebla in southeastern Mexico. Ngwo (Engwo), a Southern Bantoid language spoken in the North West Region of Cameroon. Nizaa (Nízɑɑ̀), a Mambiloid language spoken in the Adamawa Region in northern Cameroon. New numbers page: […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Anaang (Anaañ), a Cross River language spoken in Akwa Ibom State in the southeast of Nigeria. Kilivila (Kiriwana), a Western Oceanic language spoken in the Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea. Sudest (Vanatɨna), a Western Oceanic language spoken on Sudest Island in Milne […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover the odd roots of the word umpire. An umpire [ˈʌm.paɪə(ɹ) / ˈʌm.paɪɹ] is an official who presides over a sports match, or a person who arbitrates between contending parties. To umpire means to act as an umpire in a game, or to decide as an umpire. It comes […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kara, a Western Oceanic language spoken in New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea. Kenyah, a North Bornean language spoken in Indonesia and Malaysia on the island of Bornea. East Ambae, a Southern Oceanic language spoken on Ambae Island in Vanuatu. New numbers […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what links the words symbol, ballet and problem. A symbol [ˈsɪmbəl] is a character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object; a thing considered the embodiment or cardinal exemplar of a concept, theme, etc – other meanings are available. It comes from French symbole (symbol), from […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Tupuri (Tpuri), a Northern Mbum language spoken in Chad and Cameroon. Akum, a Plateau Benue-Congo language spoken in Cameroon and Nigeria. Alumu (Alumu Təsu), a Plateau Benue-Congo language spoken in Nigeria. Karao, a Northern Luzon language spoken in the north of Luzon in […]