Which relative's honorific derives
from a Latin word meaning "little grandfather"?
Etymology, Etymology, and more Etymology
as well as grammar, usage, euphemism, slang, jargon, semantics, linguistics, neologism, idiom, cant, and argot.
The critically-acclaimed board game
MooT
consists of tough questions about the nuances of the English language.
Answer:
your uncle
The word uncle derives from the Latin avunculus, mother's brother, which is the diminutive of
the Latin avus, grandfather, thus it literally means "little
grandfather."
Feedback
Hi Moot, this was brightly simple, really nice!! While we're at it,
what about 'Aunt'?
[Mootguy: Aunt comes
from Latin amita, paternal aunt (but not the maternal aunt).
Does anyone know anything about this?]
dangiuleo. at ,yahoo.it
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And, as you probably know, the not uncommonly used "avuncular" is
used to describe older helpful and friendly men, who are "like an uncle."
EverPsyPgh.. at ..aol.com
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...and the uncommonly used "homunculus" means
"little man." I'm not sure why, but this word kind of creeps me out, perhaps
bringing to mind little clay figurines that spring to life.
[Mootguy: Woody Allen uses
homunculus in the movie
Manhattan]
jacko at lycos.com
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