Chapter 3 + 4 - Etymologies

Latin “asinus” (donkey)

asinine ety

Old English “bellwether” (castrated male sheep “wether” + had a bell around the neck)

bellwether ety

Latin “limbus” (border)

limbo ety

Latin “plaga” (net); “plagiarus” (sea raider/plunderer - kidnapper)

plagiarize ety

Latin “eiron” (traditional character in ancient Greek drama who used tricks to outwit his bragging, conceited opponent)

irony ety

Latin “effetus” (ef = “out”, fetus = “having produced”)

effete ety

Greek “hyperbole” (exaggeration, extravagence) hyper = “beyond”, “over”, “excessive” + bol “throw”

hyperbole ety

Greek “dia”(across) + “bol” (throw) “diabolos” (slanderer)

diabolic ety

Italian “ciarlatano” (babbler, phony)

charlatan ety

Greek “sykon” (fig) + “phainen” (show) “sykophantes” (one who makes the ‘sign of the fig’)

sycophant ety

Greek “ana” (back, backward) + “chronas” (time)

anachronism ety

Latin “fari” (speak) and “fatum” (prophetic speaking of the gods)

fatal ety

Latin “ne” (not), “fari” (speak)

nefarious ety

Latin “vindicare” (revenge, defend, set free)

Vindicate + Vindictive