Radio Omniglot

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. There are new language pages about: Ghomalaʼ (Ghɔmáláʼ), a Bamileke language spoken in the West Region of Cameroon. Feʼfeʼ (Fèʼéfěʼè), a Bamileke language spoken in the West Region of Cameroon Lengo, a Southeast Solomonic language spoken on Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands. Lau, a Southeast […]

In this episode we find Celtic fingers among French jewelery. The French word bijou means a jewel or piece of jewellry. It was borrowed from the Breton bizou (ring, jewel), which comes from biz (finger), which is ultimately comes from the Proto-Celtic *bistis (finger), from the PIE *gʷist- (twig, finger) [source]. Related words in the […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. There are new language pages about: Kwaio, a Southeast Solomonic language spoken on Malaita Island in Malaita Province of the Solomon Islands. Gela (Nggela), a Southeast Solomonic language spoken in the Nggela (Florida) Islands in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands. Arosi, a Southeast Solomonic […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we’re looking into the origins of the word guide. Guide [ɡaɪd] means: Someone who guides, especially someone hired to show people around a place or an institution and offer information and explanation, or to lead them through dangerous terrain. A document or book that offers information or instruction; guidebook. It […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. There are new language pages about: Mono-Alu, a Northwest Solomonic language spoken on Mono, Alu and Fauro islands in the Solomon Islands. Marovo, a Northwest Solomonic language spoken mainly in Marovo Lagoon in the Solomon Islands. Nduke, a Northwest Solomonic language spoken on Kolombangara Island in […]

In this episode we discover Romance scythes in a stack of Celtic pins and needles. The Proto-Celtic word *delgos means pin or needle. It comes from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelg- (sting) [source]. Related words in the modern Celtic languages include: dealg [ˈdʲal̪ˠəɡ] = thorn, prickle, spine, spike, pin, peg or brooch in Irish dealg [dʲal̪ˠag] = pin, […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. There are new language pages about: Iranun, a Danao language spoken mainly in the southwest of Mindanao island in the south of the Philippines. Onhan (Inonhan​), a Western Bisayan language spoken mainly in the Province of Romblon in the Mimaropa region of the Philippines. Southern Sorsogon, […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we’re looking into the origins of the word quagmire. A quagmire [ˈkwɒɡ.maɪər/ˈkwæɡ.maɪr] is: A swampy, soggy area of ground. A perilous, mixed up and troubled situation; a hopeless tangle. To embroil (a person, etc.) in complexity or difficulty. The quag part is an obsolete English word meaning quagmire, marsh or […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. There are new language pages about: Nishi (Nyishi / न्यिसि), a Western Tani language spoken in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in northeastern India. Khengkha (ཁེངས་​ཁ་​), an Eastern Bodish language spoken in southern Bhutan. Jumli (जुम्ली खस), an Eastern Pahari language spoken mainly in Karnali Province in […]

In this episode we discover Celtic roots of the name Paris. Paris is the capital of France and the centre of the Île-de-France or Paris Region. From about 250 BC, the area, particularly the Île de la Cité (see above), an island on the River Seine, was home to the Parisioi, part of the Gaulish […]