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Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Wawonii (Wowoni), a Celebic language spoken on Wawonii Island in Southeast Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. u̠t-Ma’in, a Northwest Kainji language spoken in the northwest of Nigeria. Karitiâna (Yjxa), a Tupian language spoken in Rondônia in the North Region of Brazil. New constructed script: […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover what connects the words spider, spin and spangle. A spider [ˈspaɪ̯də / ˈspaɪ̯dɚ] is any of various eight-legged, predatory arthropods of the order Araneae, most of which spin webs to catch prey. (Other meanings are available). The verb to spider means to move like a spider, to cover […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Bowili (Tuwuli), a Kwa language spoken in the Volta Region in southeastern Ghana. Alagwa (Alaagwa’isa), a South Cushitic language spoken in the Dodoma Region in central Tanzania. Lela (c’Lélà), a Northwest Kainji language spoken in the northwest of Nigeria. New constructed script: Phoenixian, […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what connects the words furnish and perform. To furnish [ˈfɜːnɪʃ / ˈfɝnɪʃ] means to provide a place with furniture, or other equipment, to supply or give (something), or to supply (somebody) with something. It comes from Middle English furnishen (to fit out or equip, to provide or […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kanembu (Kanembou / كَنٜݦُ), a Western Saharan language spoken in southeastern Chad. Teda (Tedaga), a Western Saharan language spoken in Chad, Libya and Niger. Afade (Afaɗə), a Chadic language spoken in northern Cameroon and northeastern Nigeria. New numbers page: Bowili (Tuwili), a Kwa […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what connects the words taxi, task, tax and taste. A taxi [ˈtaksɪj / ˈtæksi] is a vehicle, usually a car, that may be hired for single journeys by members of the public, particularly one with an automated meter to calculate the fare. As a verb, to taxi […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Eipo (Lik Yuke), an Eastern Mek language spoken in the Highland Papua province in eastern Indonesian. Tontemboan, a North Minahasan language spoken in northern Sulawesi in Indonesia. Meru (Kĩmĩĩrũ), a Northeast Bantu language spoken in central Kenya. New adapted script: Cyrillic-Kiswahili (Кисирили-Кису’ахили), a […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we wend our way through the origins of the word wend. Wend [wɛnd] means to direct (one’s way or course), to pursue one’s way, or to proceed upon some course or way, and used to mean to turn, to change, to adapt, to veer, to pass away, to disappear, to […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Ahwai (indùn), a Plateau language spoken in Kaduna State in central Nigeria. Gokana (Gòkánà), an East Ogoni language spoken in Rivers State in southern Nigeria. Hasha (Hàshà), an Alumic language spoken in Nasarawa State in the North Central region of Nigeria. New constructed […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we uncover the gratefully pleasing roots of the word grace. As a noun grace [ɡɹeɪs] can mean: Charming, pleasing qualities. A short prayer of thanks before or after a meal. Elegant movement; elegance of movement; balance or poise. Favor, sanction or beneficence. As a verb to grace can mean: To […]