Four English Words of Greek Origin to Sound Like an Intellectual

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Greek is one of the oldest languages in the world and, as a result, it has influenced many others oven the years. It is estimated that there are over 150.000 thousand English words of Greek origin; you already know philanthropy, architecture, economy, politics, phobia, encyclopedia, idol, and many other words that have modern and ancient Greek roots. Philanthropy for example (ฯ†ฮนฮปฮฑฮฝฮธฯฯ‰ฯ€ฮฏฮฑ) derives from the verb ยซฯ†ฮนฮปฯŽยป (to love, to befriend) and the noun ยซฮฌฮฝฮธฯฯ‰ฯ€ฮฟฯ‚ยป (human). It means to love people and show it through acts of kindness. However, these are quite well-known terms; here are some words that will broaden your vocabulary and make you sound smarter.

English Words of Greek Origin

Euphemism

Euphemism or ยซฮตฯ…ฯ†ฮทฮผฮนฯƒฮผฯŒฯ‚ยป in Greek derives from the words ยซฮตฯ…ยป (good) and ยซฯ†ฮฎฮผฮทยป (reputation). It describes words of polite or vague nature that are used in the place of words that have a negative connotation. It can be used to show politeness, to avoid causing panic and fear, and, in some cases, to influence people into believing that a negative change is actuallyโ€ฆ not that bad.

For example, when reading about someoneโ€™s death in the newspapers, you might see a prevalence of the use โ€œpassed awayโ€ instead of โ€œdieโ€. The use of โ€œpassed awayโ€ in this case is a euphemism. Another example is when you join a meeting and your boss uses the term โ€œdownsizingโ€ instead of โ€œcutsโ€. This is a euphemism.

Sycophant/ Sycophancy

A sycophant (ฯƒฯ…ฮบฮฟฯ†ฮฌฮฝฯ„ฮทฯ‚) is a litigant who brings unjustified prosecutions. In other words, a slanderer. The term was coined in Classical Athens, one of the greatest eras of the ancient world, that was also characterized by frequent trials, often unjustified.

Today, in the English language, the term is often used to describe insincere flatterers. Sycophancy is the practice of insincere flattery to gain advantage. The meaning is far from the original one, however, it still describes immoral, passive-aggressive behavior.

Antidote

An antidote (ฮฑฮฝฯ„ฮฏฮดฮฟฯ„ฮฟ) is a substance than counteracts a form of poisoning. It is often used instead of โ€œremedyโ€. It derives from the Greek ยซฮฑฮฝฯ„ฮฏยป (opposed to) and ยซฮดฮฏฮฝฯ‰ยป (to give) and such substances were used as reversal agents since ancient times.

In modern English, the term is often used metaphorically; to describe a solution to something. For example, โ€œreading is an antidote to stupidityโ€, meaning that it can cure you from being โ€œstupidโ€. Stupidity is not a disease, but you get the whole point.

Antipode

Many English speakers tend to mix โ€œantidoteโ€ with โ€œantipodeโ€. Antipode derives again from ยซฮฑฮฝฯ„ฮฏยป and ยซฯ€ฯŒฮดฮนยป (leg). It is used to describe as something that is the exact opposite of something else or to indicate a placeโ€™s direct opposite location.

In geography, the antipode of any spot on Earth is the point on Earth’s surface diametrically opposite to it. It is estimated that the antipodal point of Athens, Greece, is Moerai in French Polynesia. However, you can also use this word metaphorically to describe two opposites. Happiness and sadness are antipodes.

So, what is the difference between โ€œantipodeโ€ and โ€œantidoteโ€?

The first means โ€œoppositeโ€ the second means โ€œcure/reverse agentโ€. For example, happiness is the antipode of sadness but not its antidote. Meaning that happiness is the direct opposite of sadness but not its cure.

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Marialena Perpiraki is a journalist and writer from Athens, Greece. In 2020, she founded Helinika as a cross-media platform.

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