Episodes

  • Celtic Pathways – Floors

    Celtic Pathways – Floors
    Apr 26 2025
    In this episode we unearth the possible Celtic roots of words for field and related things in Galician and other languages. The Proto-Celtic word *ɸlārom means floor and comes from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂ros (to be flat, from *pleh₂- (flat) [source]. Related words in the modern Celtic languages include: lár [l̪ˠɑːɾˠ] = ground, floor, middle, centre in […]
    Show more Show less
    2 mins
  • Omniglot News (20/04/25)

    Omniglot News (20/04/25)
    Apr 20 2025
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Tai Yo (ไทญ้อ), a Southwestern Tai language spoken in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Vili (Civili), a Bantu language spoken mainly in the Republic of the Congo, and also in Gabon and Angola. New adapted script: Vietnamese Arabic Script (چىٰٖ جاوي تيٛەٖڭ ۏیٔەٖط), a […]
    Show more Show less
    2 mins
  • Adventures in Etymology – Theoretical Theatre

    Adventures in Etymology – Theoretical Theatre
    Apr 19 2025
    In this Adventure in Etymology, we find out what links the words theory and theatre. Theory [ˈθɪə.ɹi / ˈθɪ.ɹi] has a variety of meanings, including: A description of an event or system that is considered to be accurate. (sciences) A coherent statement or set of ideas that explains observed facts or phenomena and correctly predicts […]
    Show more Show less
    3 mins
  • Omniglot News (13/04/25)

    Omniglot News (13/04/25)
    Apr 13 2025
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Yaka (Yiyáká), a Bantu language spoken mainly in Kwango Province in the southwest of the DRC. Yansi (kiBeembe), a Bantu language spoken in the south of the Republic of the Congo. Shatt (Caning), an Eastern Sudanic language spoken in South Kordofan Province in […]
    Show more Show less
    2 mins
  • Celtic Pathways – Crooked Rims

    Celtic Pathways – Crooked Rims
    Apr 13 2025
    In this episode we unravel the Celtic roots of words for wheel, rim and related things in French, Spanish and other languages. The Proto-Celtic word *kambitā means rim and comes from Proto-Celtic *kambos (twisted, crooked, bent), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱh₂embos (crooked), possibly from *(s)ḱamb- (bent, crooked) [source]. Related words in the modern Celtic languages include: camedd […]
    Show more Show less
    2 mins
  • Omniglot News (06/04/25)

    Omniglot News (06/04/25)
    Apr 6 2025
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Bembe (kiBeembe), a Bantu language spoken in the south of the Republic of the Congo. Kwambi (Oshikwambi), a Southwest Bantu language spoken mainly in northern Namibia. Luyana (Esiluyana), a Bantu language spoken in mainly the Western Province of Zambia. Yeyi (Shiyeyi), a Bantu […]
    Show more Show less
    2 mins
  • Adventures in Etymology – Ridiculous

    Adventures in Etymology – Ridiculous
    Apr 5 2025
    In this Adventure in Etymology, we’re risking ridicule and getting rather ridiculously ridiculous. Ridiculous [ɹɪˈdɪkjələs/ɹɪˈdɪkjʊləs] means deserving or ridicule, foolish, absurd, astonishing, extreme or unbelievable. It comes from Latin rīdiculus [riːˈd̪ɪkʊɫ̪ʊs̠] (laughable, funny, amusing, silly, absurd, ridiculous), from rīdeō (to laugh (at), ridicule, mock), the origins of which are not known [source]. Words from the […]
    Show more Show less
    1 min
  • Omniglot News (30/03/25)

    Omniglot News (30/03/25)
    Mar 30 2025
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Hurûf-ı munfasıla, a script based on the Ottoman Turkish alphabet with the letters written separately and all the vowels written devised by Enver Pasha in 1914. New adapted script: Hengul (헨규얘 아얘푸벹), an alternative way to write English with the Korean Hangeul alphabet […]
    Show more Show less
    5 mins
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup