Your Greek Word On A Sunday

Emmanuela Lia
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Language Learning
  • Updated Weekly

Award nominated, bite-size podcast. Every Sunday, Greek words used in the English language. Travelling words, connecting cultures. 3228fe0c7e699146558c2355b0d1ced04be2b945

  1. 2h ago

    Oregano

    And just like that, we’re at the end of season nine! How did that happen? I want to thank everyone who stayed with me for another season, everyone new who joined us  this year and everyone who commented and reviewed the podcast. It feels great reading what you think and since this is a solo venture it’s great when I know you’re out there, listening. Thank you again and…on with our episode!  (Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! As this season comes to end I will leave you with  the queen of Greek herbs! It smells fantastic , it goes with 99.9% of any Greek dish and it was of course created by  the goddess Aphrodite! No, not really. But that’s how the myth goes! Aphrodite created this herb in her garden in mount Olympus  to bring joy to humanity. It grows on mountains and its name comes from two words, όρος (oros) meaning ‘mountain’ and γάνα (gana) meaning ‘joy’. Because of that, Ancient Greeks would make wreaths out of it for weddings and in medieval times it was considered a ward against evil. There’s another plant in the same family that exists in Greece but it's also native to the UK and it’s called Marjoram. They are incredibly similar and people have been using it exactly as the Greeks where using theirs. In America the herb arrives with the Italian immigrants but it became very popular after WW2 when soldiers returning from Europe were craving it. How do you know you’re eating greek food?  it has ΡΙΓΑΝΗ/OREGANO  Instagram @yourgreeksunday , Blue Sky @yourgreeksunday.bsky.social email yourgreeksunday@gmail.com

  2. Jul 19

    Cumin

    Hello Dunedin (ντανίντν) in New Zealand! Welcome to the family! A city with great architecture and history but most importantly, rent prices so affordable that artists can thrive there! From what I’m reading it’s an artistically vibrant city, Galleries, live music and theatre ! Oh I’m certainly visiting. Thank you for listening Dunedin. If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode! (Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! The oldest verified writing we have of this plant is in ancient Mycenaean. However, those syllables together can be found in other languages too and it’s led linguists to believe that the original name is Sumerian. Ancient Greeks used this herb as a staple. You had your salt, your pepper and this on the table and of course they used it medicinally. Digestive and respiratory problems as well as bleeding were some of the problems that plant helped with. Cultivated originally in Iran but the name in English came from the Roman version of the Greek word. The Romans also brought it in the UK. In America it arrived from the Spanish and the Portuguese and in Morocco you can still find it on the table next to salt and pepper . ΚΥΜΙΝΟ/CUMIN Instagram @yourgreeksunday , Blue Sky @yourgreeksunday.bsky.social email yourgreeksunday@gmail.com

  3. Jul 12

    Thyme

    Welcoming Payakumbuh in Indonesia today! The city with a long tradition of a secret negotiation for livestock trades. The Marosok Tradition: Buyers and sellers hide their hands under a cloth and communicate the price by touching. It’s a whole different language of touching and tapping and squeezing different parts of the hand and it means something different depending on which is used . Isn’t that fascinating? Thank you for listening Payakumbuh!  If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode! (Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! Ancient Greek incense as part of sacrificial ceremonies for the gods was comprised of several herbs. The most prominent was one that got its name from the fumes it was creating when burning . Now, that’s one version, the other is that it got its name because of its resilience; and the Ancient Greeks lit it in temples to inspire courage. In medicine, its oil was used as an antibiotic and in gastronomy as an Ancient Greek wine infuser or an ancient Roman cheese herb. Speaking of the Romans, they were the first to bring it to the UK and it became incredibly popular so much so that many knights would get it as farewell present before battle and people would put it under their pillows to ward off nightmares. From the Ancient Greek verb Θύω (Theo) meaning ‘creating smoke’ and Latin ‘Thymum’ this herb can be found everywhere in Greece and it’s delicious! ΘΥΜΑΡΙ/THYME Instagram @yourgreeksunday , Blue Sky @yourgreeksunday.bsky.social email yourgreeksunday@gmail.com

  4. Jul 5

    Coriander

    Happy July everyone, welcoming Houston in Texas this week. The city that was built on a scam. Oh yes, in the 19th century the Allen brothers bought very cheap land in Houston because it was, literally, a swamp. They started a campaign describing Houston as a Mediterranean paradise. Hills and breeze and a port that ships can travel to and fro. You have to remember, it was a different time so, people bought into it and then, moved into a reality that had nothing to do with what was advertised to them. When they tried to leave, the Allens bribed officials and made Houston the capital of Texas and promised progress and infrastructure. Nothing happened of course until the oil boom and then, the brothers had to wait for over two years to see their scam pay off. There’s much more to this story so, go ahead and have a read when you can. It’s fascinating. Thank you for listening Houston!  If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode! (Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! July is the last month for this season and I have another series of linked words for you. Greece has been the connection between the east and the west since its birth. From big ideas and language to... spices! And this month I will focus on those . A beautiful plant that has divided taste buds for eons because of its strong flavour and smell. Native to southern Europe, North Africa and northwest Asia, its Greek name comes from the word Κοριός (korios) meaning ‘bedbug’ because the unripe seeds smell like crushed bedbugs. The word passed to Latin and French, as usual, but in the UK was brought by the Romans and used ever since, with a slight pause during the influx of other spices during the renaissance. From ancient times it’s been used as a digestive herb but also a perfume and an offering to the gods . From Ancient Mycenaean Korijadana to Ancient Greek Κορίανδρον (koriandron) to Latin Coriandrum and a mixed pronunciation of both the seeds and the leaves in modern Greek ΚΟΛΙΑΝΔΡΟ/CORIANDER Instagram @yourgreeksunday , Blue Sky @yourgreeksunday.bsky.social email yourgreeksunday@gmail.com

  5. Jun 28

    Oedipus

    Welcoming Devon in the UK today and particularly, Exeter. The town who’s underground passageways that used to bring fresh water into It, are still open to the public to visit through guided tours. If you’re not afraid of underground tight spaces that is. Thank you for listening Exeter!  If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode! (Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! Οίδημα (oedima) in Ancient Greek meant ‘swelling’ and πούς (pous) meant 'foot'. The spelling changed when moved to Latin and the Greek diphthong o+i turned into o+e but enough with grammar, let’s get to the fun part the myth which I absolutely recommend you read in full when you get a chance.  In Greek mythology, when  the king of Thebes Λάιος (Lios) got the prophesy that his firstborn will be the one that kills him, decided to pierce the baby’s feet and tight them together before handing him to a servant to abandon the infant on a mountain . A Shepard found the baby and took it home as he and his wife were childless and saw that as a blessing. They named him after his ailment, his swollen ankles, and when he grew up the young man wanted to find out his origins. He was told by an oracle that he’s bound to kill his father so, he left his home ,thinking that will keep his father safe. In his travels, he encountered a man that wouldn’t let him through a tight passage. They fought and the young man killed him. Continuing his journey, he reached Thebes but its gates were guarded by the Sphinx. A monster with a female head and a lion’s body that would devour anyone who didn’t solve its riddle: which creature has one voice but has four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon and three at night? The young man answered  ‘a Man’ . A man crawls in the beginning of his life, stands in the middle of it and in the end uses a cane, so three legs. The Sphinx, defeated, threw herself from a cliff and the city of Thebes was liberated from the monster. The young man was crowned King of Thebes- since the king was missing- and married It’s Queen. The tragedy of his story became not one but two famous plays. The man who killed his father in a tight passage and married his mother is a terrible story of how fate plays an integral part in Ancient Greek storytelling. The young man’s name was ΟΙΔΗΠΟΔΑΣ/OEDIPUS Instagram @yourgreeksunday , Blue Sky @yourgreeksunday.bsky.social email yourgreeksunday@gmail.com

  6. Jun 21

    Pilot

    Welcoming Minneapolis this week, the third largest theatre city in the US after New York and Chicago! So make sure you catch a show if you visit! Thank you for listening Minneapolis ! If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode! (Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! When Greek words moved to Latin some underwent changes and some didn’t. One very common change was for the letter Δέλτα (Thelta) to turn into an L and today’s word is a very good example of that. Ancient Greek ships didn’t have a central helm but rather two πήδα (pida) and in singular πηδόν (pidon). From the word πούς (pous) meaning 'foot'. Two oars at the very front of the ship and the person steering a ship, the one guiding it , the one changing its 'footing’ was called πηδότης (pedotis). The word moved to Latin in the Middle Ages and from there, to French and English always meaning 'a helmsman'. In 1858 it expanded to ‘the one who controls a hot air balloon’  and in 1907 'the one who flies a plane'. ΠΗΔΟΤΗΣ/PILOT Instagram @yourgreeksunday , Blue Sky @yourgreeksunday.bsky.social email yourgreeksunday@gmail.com

  7. Jun 14

    Podium

    Welcoming Las Palmas of the Canary islands today! I have a fact that you wouldn’t expect from a holiday destination but I’m an actor so, of course, I found a theatre one. One of the most beautiful theatres in Las Palmas, Teatro Perez Galdós, is said to be haunted by the writer that gave it its name, Benito Perez Galdós. Although, considering how he fought against fanatical religious beliefs all his life and being a realist writer becoming a ghost seems unlikely, he is known to be a trickster ghost more than a scary one and pulls all kinds of pranks to actors and crew members. So, if you watch a show there, see if you can spot an actor who’s a little bit too on alert! Also, look up Galdós when you get a minute. He was a very important writer! Thank you for listening Las Palmas!   If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode! (Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go We continue this month with words from the same root. Πούς (pous) in Ancient Greek and πόδι (podi) in modern means ‘foot’. The base of a column or a vase in Ancient Greek was ποδίον (podion) ‘little foot’ . The word moved to Latin and the Romans were using it for the raised platform in Arenas where the VIPs would sit and David Humphries , the American diplomat , translator, and poet brought it into English in the 1700s. The word stayed linked to architecture until 1932 when a three-step platform became mandatory at the summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the word gained its wider meaning. ΠΟΔΙΟΝ/PODIUM ! Instagram @yourgreeksunday , Blue Sky @yourgreeksunday.bsky.social email yourgreeksunday@gmail.com

  8. Jun 7

    Pedal

    Happy June everyone! If you like what you hear in this podcast, you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode! (Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! This month, I’ll be telling you about words that  come from the same root. Some are more straight forward than others and today, I’ll start with the most obvious one. Although it had a bit of a journey. Πούς (pous) in Ancient Greek meant 'foot' and when it moved to Latin became ‘pes’. A thing 'of the foot’ was ‘pedalis’ and in French ‘Pédale’. In 1610 it came to English to describe a pipe organ’s lever and in the 1800s a piano’s one. In the late 1800s the first bicycles were introduced to Greece and with them that exact word, now a loan, to describe a  ΠΕΤΑΛΙ/PEDAL Instagram @yourgreeksunday , Blue Sky @yourgreeksunday.bsky.social email yourgreeksunday@gmail.com

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About

Award nominated, bite-size podcast. Every Sunday, Greek words used in the English language. Travelling words, connecting cultures. 3228fe0c7e699146558c2355b0d1ced04be2b945

Information

  • Creator
    Emmanuela Lia
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    351
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Your Greek Word On A Sunday
  • Show Website
    Your Greek Word On A Sunday

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