Word Up

Some time ago, my interest in Latin took a sharp turn.  Actually, I ran of the road.  Instead of studying Latin, instead of reading books in Latin, instead of reading books about Latin… I started tracking down the English words that had come from Latin. On...

Word Up!

Some time ago, my interest in Latin took a sharp turn.  Honestly, I ran of the road.  Instead of studying Latin, instead of reading books in Latin, instead of reading books about Latin… I started tracking down the English words that had come from Latin. On...

Porter

Porter: the doorkeeper, or gate keeper.  This word comes from Latin porta (door).  When the doorkeeper helps you carry the luggage, he becomes another kind of porter.  He becomes a carrier of burdens.  The second usage of the word comes from the Latin verb portare...

Amphora

Amphora: Among the ancients, a two-handled vessel, tapering at the bottom, used for holding wine, or oil.  Sometimes amphorae, filled with oil, were awarded to victorious athletes in the games… which is why, even today, trophies take on an amphoral shape.  Amphora...

Carry on…

The verb porto, in Latin means, to carry or, to bring. In all its glory, the verb is: porto, portare, portavi, portatum. English pulls quite a few words out of this particular Latin hat.  Before we get to that, however, let’s take a look at the way Romance...