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Radio Omniglot

Simon Ager

Podcasts about languages and words

education language learning

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2:25

Adventures in Etymology – Cardinals

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/11/15

In this Adventure in Etymology we investigate the origins of the word cardinal. As an adjective, cardinal [ˈkɑː.dɪ.nəl / ˈkɑɹdɪnəl] can mean: Of fundamental importance, e.g. a cardinal rule. Of or relating to the cardinal directions (north, south, east and west). Describing a “natural” number used to indicate quantity (eg 1, 2, 3, 4, etc), […]

en-GB

2:45

Omniglot News (09/11/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/11/09

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Jarawa, a Southern Bantoid language spoken in Bauchi State in northeastern Nigeria. Cypriot Greek (κυπριακά), a variety of Greek spoken in Cyprus and by the Greek Cypriot diaspora. Dendi, a Southern Songhay language spoken mainly in northern Benin, and also in Niger and […]

en-GB

1:55

Adventures in Etymology – A Little Loitering

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/11/08

In this Adventure in Etymology we look into the origins of the word loiter. To loiter [ˈlɔɪtə(ɹ) / ˈlɔɪtɚ] can mean: To stand about without any aim or purpose; to stand about idly. To remain at a certain place instead of moving on. (archaic) To stroll about without any aim or purpose, to ramble, to […]

en-GB

2:24

Omniglot News (02/11/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/11/02

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Ha (Igiha), a Bantu language spoken in the Kigoma Region in the northwest of Tanzania. Fut (Bɨfɨɨ̀), an Eastern Grassfields language spoken in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Maasina Fulfulde (مَاسِنَ ڢُلْڢُلْدٜ‎), a West Central Fula language spoken in Mali, Ivory Coast and […]

en-GB

2:24

Adventures in Etymology – Nemesis

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/11/01

In this Adventure in Etymology we investigate the origins of the word nemesis. Nemesis [ˈnɛməsɪs] can mean: An enemy, especially an archenemy. A person or character who specifically brings about the downfall of another person or character, as an agent of that character’s fate or destiny, especially within a narrative. The personification of the “fatal […]

en-GB

2:20

Omniglot News (26/10/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/10/26

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Bangolan (Bǎŋgulaŋ), an Eastern Grassfields language spoken in the Northwest Province of Cameroon. Chopi (Cicopi), a Southern Bantu language spoken mainly in Inhambane Province in southern Mozambique. Palembang (Baso Pelémbang / باسو ڤليمباڠ‎), a Malayic language spoken in Palembang in South Sumatra Province […]

en-GB

2:30

Adventures in Etymology – Quintessence

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/10/25

In this Adventure in Etymology we search for the elemental origins of the word quintessence. Quintessence [kwɪnˈtɛs.əns] is: A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something; epitome, prototype A pure substance. The essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form. (alchemy) The fifth […]

en-GB

2:19

Omniglot News (19/10/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/10/19

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing script: New Phonetic Character (上海土音字寫法), a script created by the Rev. Tarleton Perry Crawford in the 1850s to write Shanghainese. New constructed script: Evolved Alphabet, an experimental alphabet for a future form of English created by TheDankBoi69. New language pages: Kumam (Ikokolemu), a Southern […]

en-GB

3:29

Adventure in Etymology – Fact & Fiction

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/10/18

In this Adventure in Etymology we’re uncovering some facts about the words fact and fiction. Meanings of fact [fækt] include: Something actual as opposed to invented. Something which is real. Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation. An objective consensus on a fundamental reality that has been agreed on by a substantial number […]

en-GB

2:56

Omniglot News (12/10/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/10/12

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Baba (Supapyag), an Eastern Grassfields language spoken in the North West Region of Cameroon. Bamukumbit (Maŋkɔŋ), an Eastern Grassfields language spoken in the North West Region of Cameroon. Sawai, a South Halmahera language spoken on Halmahera island in North Maluku Province in Indonesia. […]

en-GB

Celtic Pathways – Announcement

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/10/12

I couldn’t find any words of Celtic origin in non-Celtic languages for this week’s Celtic Pathways podcast, so after 94 episodes, I’ve decided to take a break. I’ll be back with more Adventures in Etymology next week. There are plenty of place names throughout Europe that have Celtic roots – see Celtic toponymy on Wikipedia. […]

en-GB

2:28

Omniglot News (05/10/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/10/05

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Ushoji (اُݜوجو), an Eastern Dardic language spoken mainly in the Swat District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in northwest Pakistan. Aer (آیر), a Western Indo-Aryan language spoken in Sindh in Pakistan and Gujarat in India. Dameli (دمیلی), a Dardic language spoken in the […]

en-GB

2:29

Adventures in Etymology – Fishing for Fish

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/10/04

In this Adventure in Etymology we fish for the origins of the word fish. Fish [fɪʃ] can refer to: A typically cold-blooded vertebrate animal that lives in water, moving with the help of fins and breathing with gills. Any animal (or any vertebrate) that lives exclusively in water. As a verb it can mean: To […]

en-GB

2:43

Omniglot News (28/09/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/09/28

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Turu (Kιnyatυrυ, Kιrιmi), a Bantu language spoken in the Singida Region in central Tanzania. Pnar (Ka Ktien Pnar), a Khasi-Palaungic language spoken in northeastern India and northeastern Bangladesh. Wenzi (LiWenzi), a Bantu language spoken in the Kigoma Region in northwestern Tanzania. Dimasa (Grao-Dima), […]

en-GB

2:57

Celtic Pathways – Rich Kingdoms

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/09/27

In this episode we discover the Celtic roots of words for kingdom, rich and related things in Germanic, Romance and other languages. The Proto-Celtic word *rīgyom means kingdom, and comes from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king). Related words in Proto-Celtic include *rīxs (king) and *rīganī (queen) [source] Related in the modern Celtic languages include: rí [ɾˠiː] = […]

en-GB

2:38

Omniglot News (21/09/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/09/21

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Shambala (Kisambaa), a Bantu language spoken in the Tanga Region in northern Tanzania. Suabo (nidáibo), a Trans-New Guinea language spoken in Southwest Papua Province in eastern Indonesia. Tongwe (Sitongwe), a Bantu language spoken in the Kigoma Region in northwestern Tanzania. New numbers pages: […]

en-GB

2:13

Adventures in Etymology – Rest Awhile

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/09/20

What does the word while have to do with resting? Let’s find out in this Adventure in Etymology on Radio Omniglot. While [waɪl / wæl] as a noun means an uncertain duration of time, a period of time, or an uncertain long (or short) period of time. As a conjunction it means during that same […]

en-GB

3:33

Omniglot News (14/09/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/09/14

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Rangi (Kɨlaangi), a Bantu language spoken in the Kondoa District of the Dodoma Region in central Tanzania. Suabo (nidáibo), a Trans-New Guinea language spoken in Southwest Papua Province in eastern Indonesia. Oko (Ọ̀kọ), a Volta-Niger language spoken mainly in the Ogori-Magongo LGA in […]

en-GB

2:18

Celtic Pathways – Engaged Hostages

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/09/13

In this episode we discover the Celtic roots of words for hostage in Germanic languages, and words related to engagement in Finnic languages. The Proto-Celtic word *geistlos means hostage or bail, and comes from Proto-Indo-European *gʰeydʰ- (to yearn for, to desire) [source] Descendents in the modern Celtic languages include: giall [ɟiəl̪ˠ] = hostage, pledge in […]

en-GB

2:30

Omniglot News (07/09/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/09/07

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Inuinnaqtun (ᐃᓄᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᓐ‎), an Inuit language spoken in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories in northern Canada. Pare (Kipare), a Northeast Coast Bantu language spoken the Kilimanjaro Region in northeastern Tanzania. Kwamera (Nɨninɨfe), a Southern Oceanic language spoken on Tanna Island in Tafea Province in […]

en-GB

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