Wonderscape
Understanding Words: The Power of Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes
Dive into the technique of using word structure to decipher unfamiliar words in reading. Explore how analyzing Greek and Latin root words, prefixes, and suffixes can unlock the meanings of many English words. Learn about common root...
Curated Video
Latin Roots
Latin Roots teaches how to expand vocabulary by using knowledge of Latin roots to determine the meaning of unfamiliar complex words.
Alliterative
Album: Word History Connections
Tracing the unexpected etymology and history of the word "album", from its Latin roots to The Beatles, elves, eggs, and university students in medieval Germany. Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us:...
Alliterative
Ambition: Word History Connections
The roots of ‘ambition’ and other political vocabulary show the way language changes with society's changing values. For further explorations of these subjects, check out Thorneloe University's courses in the Humanities, including "Greek...
Alliterative
Beef: Word History Connections
The history of the word "beef", and its connection to war and conquest. Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For further explorations of these subjects, check out Thorneloe...
Alliterative
Loaf: Word History Connections
The history of the word "loaf", and the cultural importance of bread. Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For further explorations of these subjects, check out Thorneloe...
Alliterative
What's the Earliest English Word?
We're looking for the earliest surviving written English word--is it in Anglo-Saxon manuscripts, on artifacts from the migration period, or in Latin? For more on the Anglo-Saxon invasion of England, take a look at my collaboration with...
Alliterative
Reviewing the Lewis & Short Latin Dictionary
A review of the Lewis & Short Latin Dictionary, explaining its publication history and its usefulness for medievalists. The companion video, unboxing and reviewing the Oxford Latin Dictionary, is here: https://youtu.be/9bUynpJ9veM A...
Alliterative
Why Do Word Meanings Evolve? Evolution & Semantic Change
What are the mechanisms of semantic change? And how does the etymology of the word 'evolution' reflect these changes? It turns out that the history of book production ties all these things together! #evolution #etymology #WeCreateEdu...
Alliterative
Bug: Word History Connections
From British folklore to open source computing, the history of the word “Bug”. Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For further explorations of these subjects, check out...
Alliterative
Coach: Word History Connections
The history of the word Coach: from a town in Hungary to college football. Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For further explorations of these subjects, check out...
Alliterative
Cocktail pt 2 (Sazerac): Word History Connections
Investigating the word "cocktail" and the history of the drink. [Part 2 of 2] Watch part one here: http://youtu.be/QCXdXiTQtDs Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For...
Alliterative
Cocktail pt 1 (Old Fashioned): Word History Connections
Investigating the word "cocktail" and the history of the drink. [Part 1 of 2] Watch part two here: http://youtu.be/q9N0MYtcpr4 Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For...
Alliterative
Mai Tai: Cocktail Word History Connections
A brief history of Tiki culture, and the origins of the Mai Tai! Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For further explorations of these subjects, check out Thorneloe...
Alliterative
Yule: Word History Connections
The pagan Germanic origins of Yule and many Christmas traditions. Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For further explorations of these subjects, check out Thorneloe...
Alliterative
The Twelve Days of Christmas: Word History Connections
The etymology of every item in “The 12 Days of Christmas”: bodily functions, loaves of bread, & even more birds than you thought! For a fun extra, check out our musical version of "The 12 Etymologies of Christmas":...
Curated Video
The Influence of Latin on English: From Romans to Renaissance
This video explores the profound influence of Latin on the English language throughout history, from the Roman times to the modern era. It delves into how Latin words have shaped English vocabulary, from everyday words to scientific...
Curated Video
That Changes Things
Mr. Griot teaches some common Greek and Latin affixes and root words and shows how using roots, prefixes, and suffixes affect the meanings of words.
Curated Video
Use the Keys to Unlock the Meaning
Mr. Griot demonstrates how to use Greek and Latin affixes and root words to understand the meanings of unfamiliar words.
Wonderscape
The Significance of Prefixes in Word Formation
Explore the role of prefixes in altering the meanings of root words. Understand how prefixes like un-, dis-, im-, in-, il-, pre-, mid-, post-, out-, over-, super-, re-, uni-, mono-, bi-, semi-, inter-, and trans- can significantly change...
Alliterative
Clue: Theseus, Agatha Christie, & Fingerprints
From Greek myth to detective fiction: the origin of the word "Clue" Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For further explorations of these subjects, check out Thorneloe...
Alliterative
Fossil: The Language & History of Paleontology
Digging up the classical roots of the word "fossil", and the origins of palaeontology and geology. Check out our Patreon page if you'd like to help support us: https://www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot For further explorations of these...
Curated Video
Romeo and Juliet 2.2 Word Nerd: idolatry
This video explores the etymology of "idol," from its Latin and Greek roots to its transformation in English as a term for false gods. It highlights Juliet's unique, positive use of "idol" in "Romeo and Juliet," influencing modern usage...
Alliterative
Freebooting: Piracy on the High Seas & the World Wide Web
How "freebooting" went from swashbuckling to social media. The etymology of words for piracy, the coinage of a new term for illicit uploads of videos, and the history of fictional portrayals of pirates on screen. For more on the word...