Etymology Archives | The Pimsleur Language Blog https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/tag/etymology/ Learning another language doesn't have to be hard. Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:16:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 What Part of No Don’t You Understand? Origins of the Word “No” https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/origins-of-the-word-no/ https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/origins-of-the-word-no/#respond Mon, 14 Sep 2020 15:27:33 +0000 https://blog.pimsleur.com/?p=19227 The Etymology & Origins of the Word “No” Around the World Every language has a word for it. Some have many. Let’s explore the origins and meaning of no. In English, the word no dates back to Middle English and means “not in any degree, not at all, not ever.” Though it’s a short word with only two Read More >>

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]]> https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/origins-of-the-word-no/feed/ 0 What’s The Deal With Numbers? Counting Systems in Different Languages https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/counting-systems-in-different-languages/ https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/counting-systems-in-different-languages/#respond Mon, 17 Aug 2020 13:47:50 +0000 https://blog.pimsleur.com/?p=18440 Four-Twenty and Nineteen Problems… But French Numbers Ain’t One! Counting systems in different languages Question for all the French speakers out there. What’s the deal with numbers? Even if you only studied a little French in high school, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about. Numbers in French are, for English Speakers, a Bit of Read More >>

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]]> https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/counting-systems-in-different-languages/feed/ 0 Use and Abuse of the Word Literally – A Crisis of Language? https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/use-of-word-literally/ https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/use-of-word-literally/#respond Tue, 04 Aug 2020 18:51:35 +0000 https://blog.pimsleur.com/?p=18181 How the Term ‘Literally’ has Changed Over Time “That chili was so hot it literally blew my head off” “She literally flew off the handle” “That person literally makes my blood boil” Literally. It’s the infamous term that infuriates editors, academics, linguists, publishers, and journalists alike, with people using it when they actually mean ‘figuratively’ Read More >>

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]]> https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/use-of-word-literally/feed/ 0 Word Nerd: Uplifting Words to Weather Stressful Times https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/uplifting-words-for-stressful-times/ https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/uplifting-words-for-stressful-times/#comments Fri, 10 Apr 2020 22:09:54 +0000 https://blog.pimsleur.com/?p=14931 Origins of the Words of Encouragement and Strength We Need Right Now This time on Word Nerd I want to focus on some encouraging words that have been helping me weather this strange time so many of us are sharing. Again, you’ll see me mentioning Proto Indo European or (PIE), which is a theoretical language that was created using Read More >>

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]]> https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/uplifting-words-for-stressful-times/feed/ 3 The Origins and Definition of Pandemic Related Words https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/the-origins-and-definition-of-pandemic-related-words/ https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/the-origins-and-definition-of-pandemic-related-words/#respond Mon, 23 Mar 2020 15:46:30 +0000 https://blog.pimsleur.com/?p=14525 Word Nerd – Corona Virus Edition This time on Word Nerd, I wanted to explore the origins of some of the words we’ve been hearing in the news during this unprecedented time on our planet. I find that writing and researching words helps me stay grounded and reminds me of the connections we have through Read More >>

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]]> https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/the-origins-and-definition-of-pandemic-related-words/feed/ 0 The Irish Language – The History and Quirks of Gaeilge https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/learn-irish-listen-gaeilge/ https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/learn-irish-listen-gaeilge/#respond Thu, 05 Mar 2020 18:00:00 +0000 https://blog.pimsleur.com/?p=14254 Learn & Listen to the Irish Language (Gaeilge) Well, it’s March, and you know what that means!  Break out your “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” t-shirts and throw some corned beef & cabbage on the stove because it’s time for St. Patrick’s Day!  Though many of you might toast your mates with sláinte and céad míle Read More >>

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]]> https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/learn-irish-listen-gaeilge/feed/ 0 How To Say “I Love You” in Different Languages https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/linguistics-of-love/ https://www.pimsleur.com/blog/linguistics-of-love/#respond Wed, 05 Feb 2020 18:34:46 +0000 https://blog.pimsleur.com/?p=13689 It might just be the most basic, primal, natural human phrase…“I love you,” but not everything crosses cultural and linguistic lines. Peculiar regional quirks, cuisine, art, and (most certainly) language – diverge in different parts of the world. Yet love knows no boundaries. Love in different languages is an interesting study of how different people Read More >>

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