Radio Omniglot

In this Adventure in Etymology we find what the word experience has to do with fear, peril and pirates.

Meanings of experience [/ɪkˈspɪə.ɹɪəns] include:

Event(s) of which one is cognizant. An activity which one has performed. A collection of events and/or activities from which an individual or group may gather knowledge, opinions, and skills.

It comes from Middle English expērience (observation; an event which has affected one; to test, try, learn), from Old French esperience (experiment, proof, experience), from Latin experientia (a trial, proof, experiment, experience), from experīrī (to tr...

Duration: 00:02:06

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot.

New language pages:

Minica Huitoto (Mɨnɨka), a Bora-Witoto language spoken mainly in southern Colombia, and also in northern Peru (the 2,300th language page!) Mfumte, an Eastern Grassfields language spoken mainly in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Abon (Abɔn), a Southern Bantoid language spoken in Taraba State in Nigeria. Vaiphei, a Northern Zo-Mizo language spoken mainly in Manipur in the northeast of India. Mara (Mara Reih), a Sino-Tibetan language spoken in the northwest of Guizhou Province in southern China Caijia (Menni), a Sino...

Duration: 00:02:52

In this Adventure in Etymology, we find what the word code has to do with books and trees.

Meanings of code [kəʊd / koʊd] include:

A short textual designation, often with little relation to the item it represents. A body of law, sanctioned by legislation. Any system of principles, rules or regulations relating to one subject. A message represented by rules intended to conceal its meaning. Instructions for a computer.

It comes from Middle English code (a system of law), from Old French code (a system of law), from Latin cōdex (tree...

Duration: 00:02:16

In this Adventure in Etymology we investigate the origins of the word absurd.

Absurd [əbˈsɜːd / æbˈsɚd] can mean:

Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; silly. Having no rational or orderly relationship to people’s lives; meaningless; lacking order or value.

In the past in meant inharmonious or dissonant.

It comes from Middle French absurde, from Latin absurdus (incongruous, dissonant, harsh, silly, stupid), from ab- (away from, out), and surdus (deaf, ina...

Duration: 00:01:58

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot.

New language pages:

Neo-Brittonic (Brettica), a reconstructed version of Common Brittonic, a Celtic language once spoken in southern England. Ngomba (cú mbɔ́ndaa), a Bamileke language spoken mainly in the Bamboutos Department in the West Region of Cameroon. Ngombale (Ngeombale), a Bamileke language spoken in the Bamboutos Department in the West Region of Cameroon. Hachijō (島言葉 / shima-kotoba), a Japonic language spoken mainly in the Izu Islands, part of Tokyo Prefecture in Japan. Tày (Tiểng Tày), a Central Tai language spoken mainly in northeastern Vie...

Duration: 00:02:29

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot.

New language pages:

Kwaʼ (Bakwa’), a Bamileke language spoken in the southwest of Cameroon. Ndau (ChiNdau), a Bantu language spoken mainly in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Ndonga (OshiNdonga), a Bantu language spoken mainly in the north of Namibia, and also in southern Angola. Arammba (Aramba), a Tonda language spoken in the Morehead area in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea.

New numbers pages:

Ndonga (OshiNdonga), a Bantu language spoken in northern Namibia and southern Angola. Arammba (Aramba), a Tonda language spoke...

Duration: 00:03:10

In this Adventure in Etymology we focus on the origins of the word focus.

Focus [ˈfəʊ.kəs / ˈfoʊ.kəs] as a noun can mean:

A point at which reflected or refracted rays of light converge. The quality of the convergence of light on the photographic medium. Something to which activity, attention or interest is primarily directed.

As an verb, focus can mean:

To cause (rays of light, etc) to converge at a single point. To adjust (a lens, an optical instrument) in order to position an image with respect to the foc...

Duration: 00:02:20