Jan
28
2012
fitting together logogram
Symbol as word is rooted in the old Greek tradition by which in fulfilment of an agreement between them, two people would split a piece of a plate, pot or ceramic (called a sumbolon meaning fitting together, falling together) into two and each would come back with his one half to fit the other half exactly to signify that the terms of agreement have been met exactly. The word sumbolon is from the Greek verb sumballein – to throw together. The idea gave us the word symbol.
Similarly derived from the Greek word emblema is the term emblem that combines en - or in and ballein to throw.
The word for corporate symbol or logo came from an abbreviation of logogram or logotype, based on the Greek term logos meaning word, but specifically uses letters, unlike an emblem.
Jan
28
2012
Olympic Torch
Lamp as word reached us through French from the Latin word lampada based on the Greek lampas for a torch. Torch is from the Germanic (Dutch) term toorts.
It should be noted that the now famous Olympic Torch is not a Greek tradition. It was not used by the Greeks in the thousand years of their own ancient competition. The torch was introduced only in 1928 during the Olympic games in Amsterdam to boost the ritual spirit of players, and was continued during the Berlin games in 1936 when the relay practice of passing on the flaming torch to the next host nation was introduced.
Jan
27
2012
Deus Zeus Jupiter deus
God as word came from Dutch as Old English from the Gothic term Gott for the French Dieu from the Italian Dio based on the Latin deus which was based on the Greek theos for Zeus their upper god or father of their heavingly gods. This was literally translated into Iov-pater (heaven-reaching father) which became Jupiter for the Romans. Christians adopted the Gothic term because its ancient form guth literally meant cast, formed, created as they intended that God created things and people. Another notion takes guth to mean ‘he there above’, presumably in heaven.
The Greek word theos gave rise to the term theology for the study of God or of the nature of God – meaning the study of religion.
Jan
27
2012
brotherhood Philadelphia
Fraternity meaning brotherhood as term came from the Latin frater – brother – one bred from the same mother’s lap or womb. The Germanic form – broeder gave rise to the English word brother. Sister, soeur in French for soror are also related to the Greek words adelphos (brother) and adelphe (sister). The place name Philadelphia was derived from the Greek for love of own brother (prefix -philo for love of).
Jan
27
2012
lecturer professor faculty university monks
Dean now refers to the head of a faculty in a university, thus supervising professors and lecturers. Through the Old French word deien which became doyen, the word dean came from military Latin title decanus referring to the head of ten soldiers. It was later adopted in religious circles as the head of ten monks.
Jan
27
2012
church confirmation
Confirmation as word came from the Latin confirmare – to strengthen, intensify, affirm. The Latin word confirmandus refers to one who is to be strengthened (by a leader such as a bishop in an initiation). This led to the notion of church confirmation rituals as special service to establish a member as fully converted and initiated in the group’s faith.
Jan
27
2012
Declare
Clear as word came from the Latin clarus – meaning transparent, understandable, seen and heard with certainty. Declare means to call out clearly – with conviction and assurance, proclaim decisively.
Jan
27
2012
church singers
Chorus – meaning singing together – came from the Greek term choros used for the place where people danced and sang in rows together, and for those who so sang and danced or for their dance and singing itself. It became koor in Dutch, and gave us the word Choir now used often for the church singers as a group singing during the service.
Jan
5
2012
genetic manipulation, misleading ads, resistance to anti-biotics
Biological Food as an idea has become a fad that clouds common public understanding of healthy, natural food as supermarkets, butchers and food manufacturers overload the public media with misleading ads and pretentious journalistic reports. Eggs, vegetables, fruits, rice, grains and meat are all corrupted with anti-infectants, bacteria and viruses that resist anti-biotic treatment. They expose us to untreatable genetic mal-formations that result from genetic manipulation of agricultural products developed purely for commercial profits.
Jan
5
2012
feelings honesty devotion
Human heart-beats are not only regular, they also regulate bodily functions through energy supplies to various parts of the body according to need. Normally when a person is still, the human heart beats 60 to 80 times per minute. It is somewhat lower for those who do intensive sports.
By the age of 80 years, the heart will have beaten two billion times. Moments of love emotions make the heart beat faster. Hence there are so many expressions that tie the heart to feelings, honesty and devotion – including: hearty, heart’s desire, having a heart of gold, from deep in my heart, and stole my heart.
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- Choir Chorus - church singers
- Biological Food - genetic manipulation, misleading ads, resistance to anti-biotics
- Heart-beats – 2 billion times in 80 years - feelings honesty devotion
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