Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

The word "helicopter" isn't a compound of "heli" and "copter", but "helico" and "pter".

"Helico-" being Greek for "spiral-like" and "pteron" being "wing".
HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F
That's why there are words like helix (like the DNA structure) and for example coleo[b]ptera[/b] (order of insects).
Wow! That's weird. Who'd have guessed!?
SW-User
I did know that, per my years of studying Ancient Greek. 🤔

It’s a word where English syllable boundaries don’t fall along etymological lines.
HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F
@SW-User what are the English syllable boundaries? In Greek we usually put -o- when we connect words.
SW-User
@HannibalAteMeOut Syllable boundaries are not always clearly defined, but there are phonotactic rules that govern them. For example, an English syllable cannot begin with /pt/ (but this is an acceptable syllable onset in Greek). Thus the syllable boundaries of "helicopter" would be he.li.cop.ter, making it appear as if it's made up of two parts: heli- and -copter.
HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F
@SW-User ohh I see, thanks!
Wolf90 · M
That is actually really cool! I had no idea! Fact of the day! Cheers Strawberry! :)
That's interesting. Thanks for sharing.
dayum! Thanks for clearing that up.
Well I’ll be buggered
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
@SW-User well that seemed a little harsh 🤔
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
SW-User
Donotfolowme · 51-55, F

 
Post Comment