Word Detectives
From which Asian country the word “tea” came to English
China
The word “volcano” came from the Roman god of fire. What's his name?
Vulcan
The English word “menu” means the same in French — but it literally means...
“small list”
The word “gift” in English means “present,” but in German it means this..
poison
The Old English word “cyning” became this modern word.
king
The word “banana” comes from this warm continent - ...
Africa
The word “panic” came from a Greek god who scared people in forests. What's his name?
Pan
The word “restaurant” came from French and means this..
“place to restore your energy”
The word “magazine” in English means a publication, but in French it means this..
store/shop
The Old English word “hlaford” gave us this modern title.
lord
The English word “kindergarten” came from which language?
German
The word “narcissism” came from a man who loved his reflection. What's his name?
Narcissus
Why English word “ballet” has silent final letter?
Because it keeps french pronunciation
The English word “actual” means “real,” but in French “actuel” means...
current/present
The word “knight” originally meant this, not a fighter.
servant
The word “ketchup” has roots in this Asian sauce - ...
Chinese (kê-tsiap)
The word “echo” comes from this nymph who could only repeat others. What's her name?
Echo
The phrase “déjà vu” means this feeling.
“already seen”
The Spanish word “embarazada” looks like “embarrassed,” but means this..
pregnant
The word “doom” in Old English meant this.
judgment
The word “robot” came from which Slavic language?
Czech
The word “atlas” comes from this Titan who held up the sky. What's his name?
Atlas
The word “genre” in its original meaning -...
kind/type
give an example when two languages have the same word, but they are translated differently
For example:
“Chef”
In English, it means a cook in a restaurant 🍳
In French, chef literally means boss or leader, not necessarily someone who cooks.
The word “girl” once meant..
any young person — boy or girl.