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IN A SYMPOSIUM OF GREEK

GREEK INDEX OF WORD LISTS
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SCANDALOUS GREEK ORIGINS OF OUR SEX WORDS
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A GREEK MELODY OF Mellifluous Words

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​Words of the Gods


AGAPI - αγάπη (a-ga-pee) / love

In ancient Greek, there are many different words for love. Agapi is considered to be the highest form of love – the love two partners have for one another, the love between parents and children or even the love humans have for God. The Modern Greek term EROTAS, έρωτας, usually means intimate or sexual love, and FILIA, φιλία, refers to affection and friendship.

AIONIA - αιώνια (e-o-nia) / eternity

This word comes from the ancient Greek term aion, meaning ‘epoch’, and led to the English word ‘aeon’, meaning “an indefinite but long period of time or describing a major division of geologic time.” In astronomy and less formal contexts, an aeon refers to a time span of one billion years.

CHARMOLIPI - χαρμολύπη (char-mo-lee-pee) / joyful mourning, sweet sorrow

Charmolipi is a word composed of the Greek terms for joy and sorrow, or sadness. It’s difficult to translate, but it conveys the idea of bittersweetness and having mixed feelings.

EFTYCHIA - ευτυχία (ef-tee-hee-a) / happiness

This word comprises the root eu-, which means good, and tyhi meaning ‘luck’ or ‘good fortune’. It can also be translated as ‘contentment’, which some might say is the truest and most consistent form of happiness.

ELEFTHERIA - ελευθερία (el-ef-the-ri-a) / freedom

Meaning ‘liberty’ or ‘freedom’, eleftheria refers to a state of freedom from slavery. In ancient Greece, eleftheria (also transliterated to eleutheria) was an attribute of the goddess Artemis. Today, it is referenced in the Greek national motto – “Eleftheria i thanatos (‘Freedom or death’)” which originated in the songs of Greek resistance.

ELPUDA - ελπίδα (el-pee-da) / hope

Elpida comes from the ancient Greek word ἐλπίς (elpis) meaning the personification and spirit of hope in Greek mythology. It is often depicted as a young woman carrying flowers or a cornucopia.

FILOKSENIA - φιλοξενία (fil-o-ksen-i-a) / hospitality

Meaning ‘friend to the stranger”, and refers to the essence of hospitality and a welcoming smile and an attitude. It’s based on the ‘what’s mine is yours’ idea. It has an ancient etymology and was referenced in both Homer’s Iliad and in the Bible. In ancient Greek culture, great emphasis was placed on hospitality, and showing generosity to those who are far from home was held as a high virtue.

FILOTIMO - φιλότιμο (fi-lo-tee-mo) / honour and self-sacrifice

This word encompasses an array of virtues: honour, self-sacrifice, duty, courage, pride and integrity. Meaning ‘friend of honor’ or ‘love of honor”, filotimo refers to doing sometime honorable and righteous, even if it is not in your own interest. It has long been considered among the highest of Greek virtues, but in the earliest writings, it carried negative connotations. For example, in the The Republic (c. 375 BC) Plato used it ironically to mean someone who was so conceited they coveted honor.

HALARA - χαλαρά (ha-la-ra) / chilled, laid-back

This word means “take it easy.” Often associated with the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki – known for its chilled out environment. It is a lifestyle that is defined as ‘relaxed’ and ‘laid-back’.

IRIDA - ίριδα (ee-ree-da) / iris

The Modern Greek word irida comes from Iris, the personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods. According to the myth, she had beautiful wings and a coat of many colors that would create rainbows as she travelled. She carried messages from the gods of Mount Olympus to Earth. Her name later came to mean ‘rainbow’ in ancient Greek, from which the English term ‘iridescent’ comes from.

MERAKI - µεράκι (me-ra-kee) / passion or absolute devotion

To do something with meraki means to put a ‘part of your soul’ into what you’re doing. The root of this term is Turkish, merak, and means to do something with pleasure or as a ‘labour of love’.

NOSTALGIA - νοσταλγία (nos-tal-gee-a) / nostalgia, homesickness

Nostalgia – from which the English ‘nostalgia’ and ‘nostalgic’ come from – combines the ancient Greek term ‘nostos’ meaning “return home or homecoming” and ‘algos,’ a Homeric Greek literary term meaning “ache or pain.” Algos serves as the root for the English word ‘analgesic’, which is formed with the root ‘an’ (without) and algos.

PETRICHOR - πετριχώρ (pet-ri-hor) / petrichor

This word refers to the pleasant earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry ground, particularly after a long dry spell. The word is composed of the Greek ‘petra’ meaning “stone” and ‘īchōr’ meaning “the blood of Greek gods.”

PSYHI - ψυχή (psee-hee) / soul

Psyhi, from which the English word ‘psyche’ is derived, comes from the ancient Greek verb ψῡ́χω (psyho, meaning to blow) and means ‘spirit’ or ‘soul’. It originated in the myth Cupid and Psyche in the second century. The story tells a tale about two lovers who must overcome a series of obstacles. The story can be interpreted as an allegory for the soul redeeming itself through love.

YGEIA - υγεία (ee-yee-a) / health

Ygeia is connected to Hygieia or Hygeia, the goddess of good health, cleanliness and sanitation. The origin of the term ‘hygiene’ comes from Ygeia. Before it became a casual greeting, the Modern Greek phrase ‘Geia sou or Geia sas’ – ( ‘your health’ ) was used to wish someone well.
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