English Words Of Foreign Origin.

Discussion in 'Random Thoughts' started by Jimbee68, Oct 12, 2024.

  1. Jimbee68

    Jimbee68 Member

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    You know, the English word exit is from the Latin. "Ex-", meaning out and "-ire" in Latin, to go. To go out, to leave. But exit isn't plural. It means "he, she or it goes out", or leaves. It's an old stage direction. For more than one person it would be exeunt. As in exeunt omnes: everyone (on stage) leaves. I learned that in HS in my Senior Year, when we studied Shakespeare's "The Tempest".

    But, exit has been naturalized into English. So it isn't a Latin anymore. It's an English word derived from Latin. That's interesting, isn't it?
     
  2. Bazz888

    Bazz888 Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    I didn't study Shakespeare. I didn't study english literature after age 12. Just English language, Latin, sciences and such-like.

    Most English derives from Latin. It's one of several languages emanating from Latin.

    Forum / forums - should be forum/forae. Stadiums = stadia. And loads more.

    No offence meant but, American English doesn't seem to acknowledge that English is Latin-based. Ive no problem with that but to refer to it as a form of English is a bit of a stretch lol

    I'm amused with such terms as box-cutter and pruner. It's as though there's just one use for each. In uk, they're called utility knife and secateurs. (The latter adopted from French, i think, which is also latin-based.)

    You know the hotel guy who carries the luggage? He's a porter. Latin - to carry.
     
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  3. wilsjane

    wilsjane Nutty Professor HipForums Supporter

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    “Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”
     

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