The Volokh Conspiracy - Greek Origins of English Words:

Steve Kurtz (Pajama Guy) asks:

1. We've all heard of the Mississippi River Delta. Why on earth is it called a "Delta"?

2. What profession were the original "hypocrites"?

3. What animal is at the heart of "tragedy"?

4. What fruit is at the root of a "sycophant"?

5. What common household item is involved in "ostracism"?

Cool. I knew the answers to 1 and 5, but not 2, 3, and 4.

	[Eugene Volokh, May 8, 2007 at 2:39pm] Trackbacks Greek Origins of English Words: Steve Kurtz (Pajama Guy) asks: 1. We've all heard of the Mississippi River Delta. Why on earth is it called a "Delta"? 2. What profession were the original "hypocrites"? 3. What animal is at the heart of "tragedy"? 4. What fruit is at the root of a "sycophant"? 5. What common household item is involved in "ostracism"? Cool. I knew the answers to 1 and 5, but not 2, 3, and 4.