Latin roots of the word VACATION!!!

Welcome back, fans of Greek and Latin root words as they pertain to the word origins of English vocabulary words! I'm about to head off on vacation, and thought it might be fruitful to know just what we mean when we talk about what we all love best. So...the root word of "vacation" is:

vaco, vacare, vacavi, vacatum: to be empty, to have leisure (void) and

vacuus: empty

When we are no longer responsible for our everyday, quotidian affairs, that of picking up the kids, going to work, doing the dishes, and all the pertinent minutiae that make up life every day, we empty ourselves of those duties, those offices, and are once again (supposedly) free to enjoy life. Thus, "emptied" of these everyday responsibilities, we move into a state where we can "have leisure" to enjoy what we would like to do. The most wisely planned vacations can do that; those that are not so wisely planned, however, can include a great deal of "travail," which can come during "travel" (a word whose origin is a medieval torture device that contained "three stakes" whose use remains unknown today); consider the torture one must go through as one misses plains, or is beleageured by traffic jams, etc.

So, let's begin with other SAT words that are related to the word "vacation" and have to do with emptying include:

vacuous: a "vacuous" stare is one devoid of any intelligence whatsoever, sort of like when a cow stares at you

vacate: to vacate an area is to go away from it, hence emptying yourself from it

void: a "void" is empty of anything whatsoever; of course, words like "avoid," "unavoidable," and "avoidable" all have to do with emptying from one's overall experience as well

devoid: is something is "devoid" of matter, there is nothing in it

vacuity: total absence of matter; a vacuum; nothing there (a vacuity of brains)

vacant: a "vacant" lot has nothing in it

evacuate: to "evacuate" an area because of a natural disaster is to "empty" it of all its citizens.

Some good biological terminology also comes from this root:

vacuole: a cavity, or empty area, in a cell's cytoplasm; note that "cytology" is the biological study of cells

vacuome: a system of vacuoles in a living cell, via the Greek suffix "-ome," which means "mass." Some good botanical terms use this suffix, including rhizome, leptome, and mestome.

Well, I'm off to the Green Mountains of Vermont for a couple days of hiking. I hope that you all have great vacations this summer, and are able to "empty" yourselves of life's tribulations at least for awhile.

vacuole: part of a cell's cytoplasm that contains a cavity

Word Origins of The Omnivore's Dilemma and Commentary: Post III

Greeting, fans of etymology and Greek and Latin root word origins as they relate not only to SAT and GRE vocabulary words, but also to the title of The Omnivore's Dilemma. Thank you for reading my article from last week which concerned the Latin root word suffix -vore as I continued discussing The Latin roots of The Omnivore's Dilemma and how that book has changed my way of thinking about and eating food, and even the definition of what food is. As I mentioned in my last post, I have considered providing SAT and GRE English vocabulary words based on the root words of titles of books that have been seminal in my life, thereby not only discussing the word origins of the title and words related thereunto, but also what those works have originated in terms of social change for myself, which I am hoping may act as consulting information for helping others change their lives in positive ways, and thereby helping the world become a greener and healthier place.
The last word in the title of Michael Pollan's seminal and influential The Omnivore's Dilemmais is comprised of two Greek word roots:

dis: two, twice, double {di-}

lemma: something taken, promise

Hence, the word "dilemma" etymologically means "having taken two." If one is in a dilemma, one does not know which of two things to take, or, on the same token, one could have two incompatible things, and not know what to do about them. Imagine proposing marriage to two different people concurrently, and having them both accept...what a dilemma the proposer would be in! And yes, there is a word "trilemma" as well...a situation perhaps even more than 50% worse!

The Greek word lemma is related to the Greek root word lambanein, which means to take, seize, hold, or accept, the morphemes of which are the following: lab, lept, and leps, from which derives the following English vocabulary words:

syllable: A syllable is etymologically a group of letters ‘held’ or ‘taken together’ to form a ‘unit of spoken or written language.’ Monosyllable (having one syllable), polysyllabic (having many syllables, via the Greek root word prefix, polys--many, word origin of multiplicative English vocabulary words, such as polygon, polyhedron, polyglot, polymath, and polytheism), and syllabication (syllabification) are all related words.

epilepsy: epileptic seizures "take hold of" the afflicted for short periods of time

syllabus (plural: syllabi): A syllabus of a course lists all the work ‘taken together’ during a given term.

narcolepsy: a uncontrollable seizure of sleep, via the Greek root word narke (narc-): numbness, deadness, or torpor, word origin of narcissism (a self-love so virulent that is creates a 'torpor' of self-absorption, which is exactly what happened when Narcissus fell in love with his reflection in a pool of clear water and could not move from the spot) and narcotic, which is a drug that creates a deadness or sleepiness in someone who ingests it. Can you guess what narcomania might be?

catalepsy: etymologically a "thorough seizing" (n.b.: the Greek prefix cata- acts as an intensive, and is the word origin for such English words as catalog (a thorough collection), catapult (an instrument that "thoroughly" hurls heavy objects), and catastrophe (a thorough turning of events to the bad).

Note that the Greek prefix di- is prolific, giving us such SAT and GRE vocabulary as: diploma, dioxide, diptych, disemic, diphthong, and such dinosaurs as dilophosaurus, diplodocus, and diceratops (note that the word "dinosaur" itself means "terrible lizard" or "monstrous lizard") via the Greek roots deinos-terrible, monstrous and sauros: lizard).

Commentary on The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

Have you ever noticed in the grocery store that the less modified foods, that is, the produce and meats, are usually in the extremities of the store, whereas the packaged and processed foods are all in the middle of the store, more easily accessible? Packaged foods are, by and large, much more profitable for grocery stores (by the bye, the word "grocery" comes from the Latin root word grossus: large, bulky thick, the idea being that a grocer buys things in ‘grosses,’ or in large quantities; a ‘gross’ (from the French grosse douzaine, ‘big dozen’) of pickles is 144 pickles. Groceries themselves can be ‘bulky’ items. Note that the letter c and the letter s, a consonant shift, tend to be interchangeable between Latin and English), not only because of their shelf life (white bread, for instance, can last for months, but is, at best, minimally nutritious, but it is nice and soft and fluffy for pampered palates, and it's also cheap, a profitable combination, but not a nutritious one), but also because of their ingredients, many of which are simply modified forms of high fructose corn syrup, a very sweet form of distilled and processed corn that moves profits on an extremely large scale (from corn that is produced in a very anti-environmental fashion, with lots of pesticides, herbicides, and petroleum-based fertilizers, all of which find their way into the water supply). If you pick up any box of just about anything, it is bound to have high fructose corn syrup in it; it is also bound to have numerous ingredients, a sure sign to stay away. Yes, it may taste good, and yes, it may even have the "blessing" of the American Heart Association on it, but that doesn't mean that it's good for you; as Pollan points out, it's not really food if there are more than five ingredients in it (a good rule of thumb to follow). And what about organic? Yes, you will pay more, but will you really? In terms of your health, and in terms of medical bills, in the long run you will pay much, much less; I have been eating organic solely now for three years, and raising my own food as well (all organically raised), and have not been sick with anything, not even a cold, for two straight years now. I feel great, have very little body fat, and have loads of energy. So yes, you could buy those non-organic, packaged "food" items (who are they kidding? Just because it's edible doesn't mean it's food) and save a little money, and they'll even taste good (your brain loves things like HFCS because sweet things in nature are very high in calories, an anti-famine response), but you will pay a price in the long run; lack of nutrition, obesity, numerous trips to the doctor, high insurance bills, etc. Eat local; eat organic; eat real food, and you'll start feeling better, and you'll be doing your part to ensure a greener planet not only for yourself, but for your descendants.

All of the subsidiary word roots discussed above: poly--many; di-two, narke: deadness, cata-thoroughly, deinos: terrible, monstrous and sauros: lizard can be found at www.wordempire.com, a site devoted not only to the Greek and Latin root words of English vocabulary words, but also to giving word lists, via trees, of SAT and GRE vocabulary words for SAT and GRE prep. Knowing the core of the English language allows one to unlock that language, making the learning of English vocabulary words much easier. At the etymology site you can find the best Greek and Latin roots dictionary available today, Word Empire III: Clarity. Happy learning!   Or, if you're looking to learn vocabulary for the SAT or GRE verbal section, check out membean.com, where vocabulary is taught to you via an Adaptive Reinforcement Engine in a fun and engaging way which at the same time enhances your memory.

Word Origins of The Omnivore's Dilemma and Commentary: Post II

Greeting, fans of etymology and Greek and Latin roots word origins as they relate not only to SAT and GRE vocabulary words, but also to the title of The Omnivore's Dilemma. Thank you for reading my article from last week which concerned the Latin root words omnis and vorare as I began discussing The Omnivore's Dilemma and how that book has changed my life vis a vis the way I do things on my farm. As I mentioned in my last post, I have considered providing SAT and GRE English vocabulary words based on the root words of titles of books that have been seminal in my life, thereby not only discussing the word origins of the title, but also what those works have originated in terms of social change for myself which I am hoping may act as consulting information for helping others change their lives in positive ways, and thereby help the world become a greener and healthier place.
The title of Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma contains the English word "omnivore" which is comprised of two Latin roots, that is:

Omnis: all (fully discussed in last week's post on the Latin root word omnis: all)
Voro, vorare, voravi, voratum: to eat (vour) (partially discussed for the Latin root word voro, vorare, voravi, voratum: eat)

We already know from last time that some English words that come from voro, vorare include devour, carnivore, herbivore, voracious, and voracity. Let's take a look at a few others:

piscivore: a fish eater: via the Latin root word piscis: fish, word origin of pisciculture (my father, Larry Lee Brunner, former owner of Willow Springs Trout Farm in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, was a pisciculturist, that is, he raised fish, specifically trout, for market), piscatory (piscatory skills concern the art of fishing), the astrological sign Pisces, piscatology, pisciform, and porpoise.

verbivore: a word eater (that is, someone who loves words so much that she just eats them right up, wanting more and more): via the Latin root word verbum: word, origin of many, many English vocabulary words, such as verb (yes, an action word), adverb (etymologically, a "word" that sits "near" another word, grammatically a modifier for a verb or adjective), verbose (wordy), verbiage (the words one uses when writing), proverb, verbatim (word for word), verve, and verbum sapienti satis est (a word to the wise is enough). For many more English words that come from the Latin root word verbum, see www.wordempire.com, your central place to describe the power of Greek and Latin roots as the primary word origins of English vocabulary.

insectivore: an eater of insects, via the Latin root word seco, secare, secui, sectum: to cut, word origin of insect (an insect has been ‘cut into’ three pieces: the head, thorax, and abdomen), section, dissect, intersection, bisect, secant, etc.

graminivore: an animal that subsists on grass, via the Latin root word gramen, graminis: grass. Check out the importance of ruminants eating grass in Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma--sunlight through grass via photosynthesis to meat via the rumen and wool. Fabulous. And most miraculous.

nucivore: an eater of nuts, via the Latin root word nux, nucis, nut, word origin of nuclear, nuciform, dinucleotide, and deoxyribonucleic acid, among many, many others.

vermivore: an eater of worms, via the Latin word root vermis: worm, word origin of vermicelli (etymologically a pasta shaped like "little worms"), vermin, vermiform appendix, vermifuge, and vermilion (from the color attributed to a specific kind of red ‘worm’).

frugivore: an eater of fruit, from the Latin word root frux, frugis, fruit, word origin of frugal (the idea is that ‘thriftiness’ bears great financial ‘fruit’), and many other related words, such as fruit, fructify, and fructose, via the Latin root word fruor, frui, fructus sum: to bear fruit, enjoy.

lactivore: an "eater" (really drinker) of milk, from the Latin root word lac, lactis, milk, word origin of lettuce (a milky white fluid leaks from its leaves when cut), lactate, lactation, galaxy (via the Greek root word gala, galactos: milk), lactoprotein, and latte.

ovivore: an eater of eggs, from the Latin root word "ovum," egg (note that this word could also mean an "eater of sheep," from the Latin root ovis: sheep); word origin of oval, ovoid, ovate, ovariotomy, ovarian, ovo-lacto vegetarianism etc. etc. Also note that the Latin phrase ab ovo usque ad mala (or " from soup to nuts") partially comes from this word.

phytivore: an eater of plants, from the Greek root word phyton--plant, word origin of such English vocabulary words as the SAT word neophyte, and numerous botanical terms, such as saprophyte, phytology, and oophyte.

fungivore: an eater of fungi, usually in reference to insects. I, myself, am an eater of mushrooms, and am most certainly a mycophile, or lover of fungus, especially mushrooms and those oh so wonderful morels.

ossivore: an eater of bones, via the Latin root word os, ossis: bone, progenitor of ossification, osseous, and ossuary.

ranivore: an eater of frogs, via the Latin root word rana--frog. A ranarium is a home for frogs, usually in a zoo, cf. aquarium and terrarium.

Commentary on The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

Now that we have divulged some of the fascinating words that are related etymologically to the word "omnivore," let's talk about chickens. Chickens are primarily herbivores (unfortunately most non-organic chicken feed has animal byproducts in it, that is, ground up dead chickens and, even worse, chicken waste) and they love to peck through beautiful green grass and eat all the bugs and ticks therein. As they eat the grass, they ingest plenty of omega 3 fatty acids and beta carotene, which turn the eggs a deep golden color (the pale yellow color of cheap eggs, which are cheap for a reason, are about as nutritious as iceberg lettuce in comparison with, say, organic spinach or, even better, lamb's quarters, one of the world's most nutitious plants), a free source of food from chicken to you. In addition, chickens will consume not only organic waste from your kitchen (potato peelings, carrot peelings, green pepper core, apple cores, etc. etc.), but also weeds that you pick from your garden. Why mow the lawn when you can have your chickens mow it for you, using a simple chicken tractor? Why worry about ticks when chickens will clear your lawn of them? All you need do is provide a safe place where they can roost at night, and they will begin providing you with eggs from recycled food waste and lawn that you won't have to mow. I currently have a flock of 14 of these marvelous egg creating machines, who lay about 11-12 eggs/day. I feed them organic chicken feed in addition to their plant diet which I get delivered from a local co-op. I have a portable electric fence, but since I clip one of their wings (it is a mistake to clip both of them since they are off-kilter with only one wing clipped) I don't have to use the electricity for the fence, which I rotate about once every two weeks to allow the pecked through grass to revivify. There is truly little more satisfying for you or your children to gather eggs at the end of the day and have them for breakfast the next day. To read why you probably don't want to purchase cheap white eggs that sell for around a dollar a dozen, consider chickens trapped in a egg-producing factory, which are much like the cafos I discussed in my last post and which Michael Pollan discusses oh so very well in his eye-opening book on food (and how that term is misused when referring to fast "food"), The Omnivore's Dilemma.

My next post will focus on words related to "dilemma," including commentary on high fructose corn syrup and the dilemma one faces when one is in a grocery store...does one go organic and non-processed and pay more, or does one pay more (but much less in the long run due to fewer medical bills) to really eat?

All of the subsidiary word roots discussed above: piscis: fish; verbum: word; secare: to cut; vermis: worm; frux, frugis: fruit; lac, lactis: milk, etc. can be found at www.wordempire.com a site devoted not only to the Greek and Latin root words of English vocabulary words, but also to giving word lists, via trees, of SAT and GRE vocabulary words for SAT and GRE prep. Knowing the core of the English language allows one to unlock that language, making the learning of English vocabulary words much easier. At the etymology site you can find the best Greek and Latin roots dictionary available today, Word Empire III: Clarity.  Or, if you're looking to learn vocabulary for the SAT or GRE verbal section, check out membean.com, where vocabulary is taught to you via an Adaptive Reinforcement Engine in a fun and engaging way which at the same time enhances your memory.