Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios
Come Under Scrutiny
Mar 18, 2024
Exploring language evolution, the podcast delves into the origins of words like 'acrobat' and 'come'. From superhero attire to English spelling quirks, the discussion covers the transformation of sounds and meanings spanning from Old English to Proto-Indo-European. Unraveling the complexity of prefixes and verb shifts in English and Germanic languages reveals the dynamic nature of language.
25:32
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Quick takeaways
- The evolution of language reveals surprising connections between words like 'come' and 'acrobat'.
- English spelling anomalies stem from historical ambiguities and complexities with similar-looking letters.
Deep dives
The Origin of the Word 'Come'
The podcast delves into the etymology of the seemingly mundane word 'come', tracing its roots from Old English 'kuman' to its Proto-Indo-European origin 'gua'. The discussion highlights the evolution of the word, illustrating how linguistic changes over time transformed 'gua' into 'kuman' and eventually 'come'. The episode explores the random nature of language evolution, revealing connections between 'come' and surprising words like 'acrobat', demonstrating the intricate journey of language development.
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