Especially when Greek words have English cognates or derivatives!
Tonight we're covering the third declension. "Declension" is just a fancy way of saying "how nouns are formed." Here's part of our vocab:
As always, wherever possible I give at least one English term that's related to the Greek word:
- hematology
- onomatopoeia
- pyromaniac
- rhetoric
- sperm
- somatic
- etc.
We always get a good laugh out of the word onomatopoeia. If you payed attention to your English teacher in high school, you'll know that onomatopoeia is when a word's pronunciation imitates its sound. It's one of many poetic devices dealing with the sounds of a language. Obvious English examples are:
- Both bees and buzzards buzz.
- Don't let your cell phone beep during the movie.
- The dishes fell to the ground with a clatter.
- The cabinet opened with a distinct creak.
- The root beer fizzed over the top of the mug.
- Jason gulped down the Pepsi.
- The wolves howled at the moon.
- Time just keeps on ticking.
- The bullet whizzed by his ear.
- Tyler zipped up his sleeping bag.
But here's the deal. The New Testament also contains several examples of onomatopoeia. Did you know that? Here are just three examples:
- In Mark 14:64, the Greek word for spitting (ptuō) imitates the sound of the action when people begin to spit at Jesus.
- In 1 Cor. 10:10, the Greek word for grumbling (gonguzō) imitates the repetitive "muttering" sound people make when they're discontent.
- In Mark 5:38, the Greek word for wailing (alalazō) describes loud lamenting. (In Ethiopia, one will often hear people going "alalalalalalala" during times of mourning or despair.)
Tonight we'll be revving up our vocab and making a big splash into the roaring river of sizzling Greek nouns! Wish you could join us!