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...

Nostalgia

Nostalgia: a longing for home; a longing for better days. From Greek νοσταλγία (nostalgia), which further derives from νόστος (a return home), and ἄλγος (pain, suffering).

On the road again…

Guys, I will not be around today.  My grandfather turns 90 today.  I will spend much of the day driving to a party for him. While I am on the road, here is a repost.  Of course, if you have never read this… it is a new post. It is an answer to the most common...

Online Vocabulary Class?

I am thinking of offering a new class in the spring. There are so many English words that come from Latin and Greek roots.  Really.  Once you start digging, it is astonishing what you find. Growing up, I had no idea how influenced our language was by Classical...