The Effect of Olympus: How Greek Mythology Lives Within the Language

To learn Greek is to realise that the myths about the gods and goddesses were never just bedtime stories, they were so ingrained into the culture that they shaped the vocabulary we know now.

For any language enthusiast at The Foreign Language Institute, the Greek language often feels like a puzzle. But, upon closer inspection you'll find that the letters and words are in fact old ruins left behind by the Greek gods themselves.

So, when you speak, you aren't just learning a new language, you're practically summoning the Olympians, Titans and the monsters. And here is how the myths shaped the language:

1. [Pan]ic

   Ever wonder why we don’t just say "really scared"? We say Panic.

   
   

   The Myth: This comes from Pan, the half-man, half-goat god of the wilderness. Pan was famous for his naps, and if a traveler accidentally disturbed him in the woods, he would let out a scream so blood-curdling that entire armies would drop their shields and flee in a frenzy.

   The Word: The Greeks turned his name into the word panikos (πανικoˊς). So, now whether you are in a crowded room or a stressful meeting, that "panic" you feel is the fear that you feel after hearing the scream of Pan himself!

   
   

2. The "Cereal"

   This word is such a common breakfast food, but its roots are in a mother's grief.

   
   

   The Myth: Demeter was the goddess of the harvest. When her daughter was taken to the Underworld, she stopped all plants from growing until she returned. When the Romans adopted this story, they renamed her Ceres.

   The Word: In Modern Greek, grains are called dimitriaka (δημητριακαˊ), named directly after Demeter. In English, we use her Roman name to get the word Cereal. Your breakfast is essentially a daily tribute to the goddess of grain.

3. The River of "Lethargy"

   If you're feeling sluggish and unmotivated, then you must have drank from the mythological river, or that's what the Greeks thought.

   
   

   The Myth: In the Underworld, there flowed the River Lethe. Any soul that drank from its waters would instantly forget their entire earthly life. It was the river of total "oblivion."

   The Word: This gives us lethargia (ληθαργιˊα) or Lethargy.

4. Museum of "Muses"

   When you step into a Museum, you aren't just looking at exceptional works of art. You are entering a "house of the spirits."

   
   

   The Myth: The Muses were the daughters of Zeus who provided the spark for poetry, history, and song.

   The Word: A mouseion (μovσϵιˊoν) was originally a shrine dedicated to them. Today, every time you go to a museum, you are visiting a temple built for the gods of inspiration.

The Greek language is proof that while temples may crumble and statues may fade, words are immortal.

Isn't the Greek language a fascinating language? To know more, join us at The Foreign Language Institute, where learning Greek will help you unearth the myths [or are they?].