by Dwane | Apr 9, 2015 | Education, English, Greek, Vocabulary
Chiropodist: a podiatrist. The word chiropodist has essentially dropped from English. It lost its job to podiatrist. A chiropodist was a hand and foot doctor. The word comes from the Greek words for hand, χείρ (pronounced, kheir) and foot, ποδός (pronounced,...
by Dwane | Apr 9, 2015 | Education, English, Latin, Vocabulary
Pedestal: In architecture, the lowest part of a column or pillar. The pedestal sustains a column and serves as its “foot.” A pedestal is a support structure, a base. We can use the word pedestal figuratively as well. When we put someone “on a pedestal,” we are...
by Dwane | Apr 7, 2015 | Education, English, Greek, Vocabulary
Cephalopod: the squid, the octopus, or the cuttlefish. The Greek word, κεφαλή (kephale) means, head. Combine this word with the Greek word for foot, ποδός (podos), and you’ve got a cephalopod. That’s right. A cephalopod is a “head-footed” creature. Or, perhaps a...
by Dwane | Apr 7, 2015 | Education, English, Latin, Vocabulary
Pedal: A foot-operated lever. We use pedals all the time. We use them to power bicycles, vehicles, and other machines. Pedals also control sewing machines, pianos, and organs. Come to Nashville and you will even see “Pedal Taverns.” Pedal Taverns are bicycle...
by Dwane | Apr 6, 2015 | Education, Latin, The Future, Vocabulary
Optimism: the belief that all is for the best. From Latin optimus, meaning, the best. Optimus is the superlative of bonus, which means, good. Yesterday was Easter Sunday, the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ. If you take a long look at the history...
