What’s So Interesting About Etymology?

Etymology, which studies the origins of words, is all around us. Did you know that the Latin word for giraffe is “cameleopardus”, which combines camel and leopard based on how the giraffe appeared? Did you know that the English word “genuine” comes from the Latin word for “knee” (“genu”), because Roman fathers accepted their wife’s babies as “genuine” when they kneeled down and received the baby after it was born?

Language, although ever-evolving, has fascinating connections between ancient and modern roots of words. Almost every word we use has an interesting story behind it.

So, why is etymology interesting? Because connections are interesting… because prefixes and suffixes manipulate words into new meanings in a fascinating way… because I want to know that “dandelion” is named after being shaped like the tooth of a lion!