Greek in everyday English

93 Greek roots, myths and ideas you already use, plus a round of "Is it Greek?", each with real examples, the original Greek and a one-line way to explain it.

1. Y'all Already Speak Greek

The phone in your pocket is full of Greek.

telefar, at a distancephonsound, voicescopeto look at, examinegraphto write, drawphotolightautoselfbiolife-logyword, reason, study ofpsychsoul, mind, breath

2. Everything's Bigger in Texas

Size and number words: mega, micro, poly, mono.

mega / megalobig, greatmicrosmallmacrolong, largemonoone, alonepolymanypanall, everyhyperover, beyond, too muchhypounder, belowkilothousand

3. Houston, We Have a Root

Stars, earth, heat and rock. Space City and oil country.

astro / asterstarnautsailorcosmoorder, world, ornamentgeoearthmeter / metrmeasurethermhot, heatpetrrockhydrowaterheliosun

4. Texas Medical Center

Houston's giant hospital district runs on Greek.

cardiheartdermskin-itisinflammation, swellingneurnerve (first: sinew, tendon)arthrjointostebonepathfeeling, suffering, diseaseorthostraight, correctodonttooth

5. A Capitol Idea

Power and people words from Athens to Austin.

demothe people-cracy / -cratpower, rulearchto rule; first, chiefpoli / poliscity, city-stateoligfewaristobestecohouse, household-nomy / nomlaw, custom, managingidiotA private person or layman, not a public figure

6. Love, Fear & Strangers

The Greek inside how we feel about each other.

philloving, friendphobfearxenostranger, foreigner, guestanthrophuman beingsophwise, wisdomchrontimemaniamadness, frenzypyr / pyrofireklept / kleptothief, to steal

7. Myths at the Mall

Brand names and sayings that came straight from Greek myth.

NikeThe Greek goddess of victoryAchilles' heelA single weak spot in someone strongTrojan horseA gift or tool that hides an attack insideodysseyA long, eventful journeypanicSudden, wild fearechoA sound that bounces backnarcissistSomeone obsessed with themselfmentorA trusted guide and advisoratlasA book of mapstantalizeTo tease with something just out of reachherculeanNeeding enormous strength or effortPandora's boxSomething that, once opened, unleashes many problems

8. Words for the Pitch

Aristotle's playbook for persuading anyone.

ethosPersuading through trust and credibilitypathosPersuading through emotionlogosPersuading through logic and evidencekairosThe perfect moment to actSocratic methodTeaching by asking questionsrhetoricThe art of persuasive speakinghubrisDangerous overconfidencenemesisA rival or downfall you can't escapekudosPraise for an achievement

9. Live Like a Stoic

Old ideas for busy people: control, excellence, flourishing.

stoicCalm and steady no matter what happensdichotomy of controlSplit life into what you control and what you don'tdicho / tomin two + cuttingaretēBeing excellent at your purposeeudaimoniaA flourishing, well-lived lifeagōnA contest or struggleschoolA place for learningostracizeTo shut someone out of a groupeurekaA shout of sudden discovery

10. Startup Greek

The business words we use every day came from Athens.

strategyA plan to wintechnologyUsing skill and tools to make thingscrisisA turning point that forces a decisionhod / odroad, wayergworksyn / symtogether, withprogramA planned series of stepsprotocolAn official set of rules for how to do somethinganalysisBreaking something into parts to understand it

11. Is It Greek? Texas Edition

Rodeo, barbecue, maverick: which ones are Greek? Guess fast.

rodeoNot GreekmaverickNot GreekcycloneGreekarmadilloNot GreekcanyonNot GreekbarbecueNot GreektornadoNot GreekthermosGreekchiliNot GreekTexasNot GreekdynamiteGreekalgorithmNot GreekhippopotamusGreekbossNot GreekrhinocerosGreekOKNot GreekAlamoNot GreeklassoNot GreeksquirrelGreekmustangNot GreekoysterGreekpecanNot GreektomatoNot GreekbutterGreekbayouNot GreekchurchGreekhurricaneNot GreekcycleGreekcircleNot GreektrophyGreekmesaNot GreekmagnetGreekbroncoNot GreekcoyoteNot Greek
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