Now that we’re on the subject, many Greek words used in English have mythological origins. If you’re there right now, check your wallet for some change: Greece has since immortalized the story on its national version of the two-euro coin. He quickly transformed himself into a white bull and spirited her off to the faraway lands we now call Europe. When the god Zeus laid his own eyes on her, it was love at first sight. EuropeĪccording to Ancient Greek mythology, Europe was a mythological princess with big, beautiful eyes, a trait reflected in the very origins of her name: evrys (ευρύς - “broad”) and ops (ωψ - “eye”). The name we use to call these magnificent, ancient creatures comes from the Greek words deinos (δεινός - “terrible”) and savra (σαύρα - “lizard”). How would you describe a dinosaur? If you came up with something similar to “fear-inspiring reptile,” congratulations. Combining demos (δήμος - “people”) and kratos (κράτος - “power”), the meaning of this quintessential Greek word used in English is simply put: power to the people! dinosaur According to one myth, the Athenians were in the middle of making an offering to Heracles when a dog snatched the animal and deposited it near the location where the school was later built. Their namesake is probably derived from a public gymnasium (“school”) where one of Socrates’s pupils taught called Cynosarges (“white dog” or “swift dog,” depending on who you ask). cynicismĬynicism comes from the Cynics, a school of Ancient Greek philosophers. Is it creepy, then, that we call our final places of rest “dormitories for the dead”? Perhaps. Don’t let looks deceive you, though: This example actually comes from the Greek word koimame (κοιμάμαι - “to sleep”), which is also the root of another word, koimitirion (κοιμητήριο - “dormitory”).
cemeteryĪ lot of Greek words used in English like to disguise themselves as Old French or Latin. 21 Greek Words Used In English acrobatįrom the word akri (άκρη - “tip” or “edge”) and the verb vaino (βαίνω - “to walk”), an acrobat is someone who walks on the edge, often on tiptoe.
With over 150,000 examples to point at, a comprehensive list of all the Greek words used in English would stretch on into infinity, so we’ve collected some of our favorites here. From the marmalade adorning our morning toasts, to the music we play and the dramas we watch at the cinema, the Ancient Greeks have thoroughly infiltrated the modern English we speak today. In the English-speaking world, it’s impossible to go a day without coming across at least one word of Greek origin.