Naming the expert

Have you ever met a myrmecologist wannabe? You probably have!

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We all know what a biologist or a historian studies —those are easy. But what about a pomologist or a speleologist? Some areas of expertise have names that sound nothing like what they actually mean. In this article, you'll see the name of a field first —then try to figure out what it really means before reading the answer. Some might be simple, but others will surprise you. Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s begin!

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Simply looking at the word "oology" reminds one of something circular, doesn’t it? You can’t be blamed for thinking this is the study of eyes. It does remind one of the verb "ogle."

You might also have thought of oolong tea— perhaps oologists are connoisseurs of rare brews? Or maybe they are scientists studying oolite rocks?

A clue: Oologists probably roll their eyes a lot during Easter hunts.

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Did you guess it? Oology is a branch of ornithology —the study of birds— that focuses on eggs! A person who studies or collects eggs inspecting their size, color, and shape, and observing the nesting and breeding behavior of their parents, is an oologist.

The term comes from the Greek oion, meaning egg. So if you thought of oolite before, you weren’t too wrong: Oolite rocks are also called "egg stones" because of their composition, which are spherical grains cemented together. Both words share the common Greek root.

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Surely, campanology isn’t the study of camping. Or could it be? It can remind one of the word "hippocampus," but that could refer to either the part of the brain or sea horses. Another likely guess: Maybe it is the title for people who study campaigns, like marketers or publicists?

A clue: Don’t you think the word has a familiar ring?

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Campanology is actually the study of bells —how they are made, rung, and tuned. The word comes from the Late Latin campana (bell), and the term has been in use since at least the 18th century.

Now you know: campanologists analyze the acoustics of bells, the techniques of change ringing (a complex system of bell sequences), and the history of bell towers worldwide.

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Two options jump to mind right away: Hippos and hippies. The cultural movements of the 60s were important enough that some historians might have specialized in their study.

Hippos are important, too: The two remaining classes of hippos are classified as vulnerable and endangered. Surely, looking after their population requires experts. Is that something that hippologists do?

A clue: Hippos are a closer guess than hippies.

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Horses! Alright, equestrian fanatics probably guessed this one easily. A hippologist is an expert in the veterinary and management of horses. They are responsible for answering all questions horses’ owners might have about anatomy, reproduction, health, dressage, driving, and more.

This word also derives from Greek, where hippos means "horse". That term is at the root of the scientific names for sea horses and hippos, too.

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Is this about pomodoro sauce? Many know that pasta al pomodoro is a dish prepared with fresh tomatoes and olive oil. Fewer people know that pomodoro is simply the Italian word for tomato.

In fact, pomodoro is the result of adding pomo (apple) + d’oro (of gold). No, pomology doesn’t study tomatoes, but that might give you a clue about what it actually does.

A clue: Do you know what pomme means in French?

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Pomology is actually the study of multiple fruits —not just the "apple of gold" tomato (which, whether you like it or not, is a fruit, according to botanists).

A pomologist works in the branch of botany investigating fruits and their plants of origin, researching to enhance their cultivation and use. The name derives from the Latin pomum, which means "fruit."

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You are probably thinking that this word couldn’t have anything to do with "spelling," because it would be written with two Ls. And you’d be correct: The role of speleologists is very distant to that of linguists.

But it feels like you’ve read the word before, doesn’t it? Did it have something to do with the outdoors, or with outer space, maybe?

A clue: You would likely need a flashlight to be a speleologist.

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In reality, speleology is the scientific study of caves: Their formation, structure, and ecosystems. The word comes from the Greek spēlaion (cave).

Speleologists explore underground tunnels, study stalactites and stalagmites, and even analyze the creatures that live in caves. To be a good speleologist you’d need to know a bit about biology, chemistry, geology, and cartography, to name a few… And to not be claustrophobic!

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You wouldn’t be the first person to think about myrrh when reading this word. Nor the first to think about mermaids.

A more down-to-earth guess would be to assume that this has something to do with memories, or the ability to form and retain them. But that is also incorrect.

A clue: Have you ever seen a formicarium?

Credit: Prabir Kashyap

The correct answer is ants! Myrmecology is the scientific study of ants because myrmex is the Greek word for the insect.

Myrmecologists study their complex colonies and examine how these tiny creatures communicate and cooperate. A formicarium, which we mentioned, is another name for an "ant farm," often built to observe ant behaviors like engineering and teamwork.

How many areas of expertise did you guess correctly? If none, we hope you learned a few new words!

Behind the scenes

Break a leg! And other showbiz sayings you didn’t know you were using!

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Show business has a way of slipping into our everyday conversations without us even realizing it. And there’s a reason: nothing captures the drama, fun, or urgency in life quite like actors and their lingo. For those of us with a little more life experience, these phrases might even bring a smile or a memory. Let’s take a closer look at 10 classic showbiz expressions that have made their way into our everyday vocabulary. Ready for your close-up?

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Resilience in a few words: no matter what life throws at us, the show must go on. How many times have you said that?

Originally, this expression came from the world of performance, where, no matter the mishap or problem, performers kept it going.

In real life, we tend to use it to encourage others to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough. A little rain can’t cancel a parade, right? This is not exclusive to performers; we’ve all had to perfect our perseverance!

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Are you chill and easygoing, or are you the bossy type? Depending on your answer, you’ll connect with this expression. To "run the show" means you’re the one calling the shots. Why? Well, think of the director’s role: they are the ones making the calls, and they have the final say in everything.

And what about everyday life? You probably know that person who is always in charge of making family gatherings happen, taking control of the food, the drinks, and the music. If you don’t know them, you’re probably the one doing it! We won’t deny it—running the show is fun and empowering, and it feels good to be that go-to person. Just don’t forget to delegate!

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Can you think of the last wedding you attended, with everyone from your high school friends to your dearest cousins? Well, you’ve got yourself a star-studded event! Can you guess what that means?

Coming from Hollywood and the red carpet world, when something is "star-studded," it means all the big names are out in full force. Of course, in the industry that’s all about red carpet premieres and award shows, we’re talking about celebrities. But in our lives, it could be a memorable party or a big celebration with all our favorite people. In short, it’s all about who is in that room and making everyone feel like a star.

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If a place is full of stars (or star wannabes, for that matter), there is always someone trying to be the center of attention or becoming so without any intention whatsoever. And that happens in every circle, right?

The phrase "steal the show" refers to someone or something that grabs all the attention, even if they weren’t meant to. This phrase can apply to anything from a spontaneous speech at a family gathering to a pet making an unscheduled appearance during a Zoom call. It’s usually someone or something delightful that pulls focus. And let’s be honest, sometimes that unplanned star is the best part of the show!

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Some projects demand a thorough plan, calculated steps, and well-thought-out decisions. But at some point, every project demands that we get the show on the road too. If you’ve ever heard someone say "Let’s get the show on the road," they’re telling you it’s time to stop planning and start doing!

The world of acting and performing has always been related to traveling. Companies take their shows to different places and stages, and that is where this expression most likely comes from—traveling performers who needed to pack up and move on to the next town.

These days, it’s often used when we’re about to embark on a new project or adventure. It refers to that point when we just have to dive in and figure things out along the way.

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This phrase does not come from the drama world but from the sports world, though it’s fairly common in show business too. Because getting things started is necessary in every field, right?

When you "kick something off," you get the ball rolling, starting something with energy and purpose. For example, at a family reunion, someone might say, "Let’s kick this off with a toast!" And then a joyful dinner unfolds.

A good kick-off helps set the stage for everything that follows, giving a positive tone to the day or event. After all, how you start often shapes how things end, don’t you think?

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This expression is quite common among young people who are always talking about a new interest they picked up thanks to a TikTok video, where things get "hyped" every day.

When something has been "hyped up," the expectations can really be sky-high. It can refer to anything—a new movie, restaurant, concert, Amazon product, or whatever!

People talk it up so much that it becomes almost impossible for the real thing to meet all those hopes. If it does, great! But more often than not, it’s tough to "live up to the hype." The buildup makes it hard for reality to match our excitement. The trick? Keep an open mind, and you might just be pleasantly surprised!

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This one you know. We all do, because it has become so popular that it no longer belongs exclusively to the showbiz world. We use it with our sons when they face an exam or with that friend who is about to go into a job interview.

"Break a leg" is a funny thing to say when you actually want someone to have good luck. In showbiz, wishing someone "good luck" was considered a jinx, so this odd phrase became the way to wish someone well without tempting fate.

Of course, nobody wants anyone to really break a leg—quite the opposite, indeed! Everyone could use a bit of good luck, and here’s the perfect way to wish for it.

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This is closely related to "stealing the show" or, better said, it’s a consequence of it. When you steal the show, you are "in the limelight." So, you can imagine what it means.

To be "in the limelight" means you’re the center of attention, whether you want to be or not! The term comes from the old days of theater, where a special lime-based light was used to highlight the main performer on stage.

These days, we use it to describe anyone in the public eye, from celebrities to people suddenly thrust into the spotlight. And this can go both ways: it can be either a blessing or a curse. Even if you get your ten seconds of fame, not everyone wants to be in the spotlight all the time!

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To close things up, let’s take the perspective of someone who wishes they were under the spotlight all the time, in every scenario. That person "craves the limelight." Because some people don’t just end up in the limelight—they crave it!

If you "crave the limelight," you actively seek attention and love being the center of it all. These are the folks who enjoy being on stage, making speeches, or just being the life of every party.

We’re not the ones to judge—there’s nothing wrong with a little attention. But when someone constantly seeks the limelight, it can become a bit much for those around them. You know, all in the right measure!