LANGUAGE MYSTERIES REVEALED

Talk Like An Egyptian: 10 English Words That Came From Ancient Egypt Fit for a queen: 10 English words derived from Ancient Egyptian

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You are probably aware that the English language has Greek and Latin roots . But did you know some of the most used English words actually derive from Ancient Egyptian?

For example, the word pharaoh is a no-brainer. As you would imagine, it is an Ancient Egyptian word meaning "Great House", the place destined for a king. But can you recognize other influences in your everyday vocabulary? Keep reading to discover 10 English words you didn’t know were born in the land of Cleopatra .

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Today we use the word oasis to refer to a serene and unattainable place, but it derives from the ancient Egyptian term wehe, meaning "fertile land" . Oases were very important for the ancient Egyptians. They served as a place of provisioning and rest for the great caravans of Bedouin traders from the interior of Africa.

The word later became waaH(a) in Arabic, and took its current form, oasis, when the Greek and Latin languages added it to their vocabulary. Finally, the Greek word passed into French with its original meaning and then to English in the second half of the 19th century.

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It turns out that the word adobe has been around for about 4,000 years , with relatively few changes in pronunciation and meaning. Contrary to what you might think, the word doesn’t come from a Native American language. It can be traced back to the Middle Egyptian word djebe or djobe, meaning "mud brick" . The term underwent a minor transformation when it came in contact with the Arabic language and was later incorporated into the Spanish vocabulary when Northern African Arabs crossed over to Spain in the 8th century.

In modern English, the term adobe has come to mean a style of construction popular in the desert climates of North America , but in fact, it has its origins in the djobe vaults built in homes and underground tombs of Ancient Egypt.

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Although the first commercial flavored chewing gum was created in the United States in the 1860s and later gained worldwide popularity during WWII, the practice can be traced back to ancient civilizations. The word gum comes from the Latin gummi , which is a loan from the Greek kommi ; the Greeks, in turn, took this word from the Ancient Egyptian qmy or qemi , meaning gum or resin.

Just like Native Americans, Ancient Egyptians also used to chew resin made from the sap of trees . Nowadays gum is a cheap treat, but back then it was very expensive and had to be imported. In Ancient Egypt only pharaohs and wealthy people could afford it, so now that you know, you’ll have a better appreciation for the lost packet of Dentin forgotten in the bottom of your bag.

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This colorless smelly gas gets its name from the Ancient Egyptian god Amun , meaning "the Hidden (One)" . His temple, located in present-day Libya, is credited with producing the oldest form of ammonia, the ammoniacal salt obtained by burning camel dung.

The word was later adapted to Ammon by the Greeks. Today, this nitrogen and hydrogen compound is used in plastics, refrigeration, and cleaning solutions, however, Ancient Egyptian worshipers of Amun used ammonia to perform spiritual rites in his honor.

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The word ebony can be traced back to several Ancient African languages . The English language takes it from the Latin ebenus , which in turn is a loan from the Greek ébenos . This Ancient Greek word derives from the Egyptian hbnj , which seems to originate from the Nubian language.

Ebony is the name for certain trees of the genus Diospyros, as well as its prized exotic black wood. This wood, like gum, was imported and very expensive, so it was used for furnishings and decorative carvings in houses of the wealthiest classes in Ancient Egyptian society.

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Did you know that ebony and ivory have more in common than just piano keys and an iconic 1980s song ? Like ebony , the word ivory can be traced back to Ancient Egypt. It comes from the Latin eboreus whose origin is the Egyptian word ab , meaning "elephant," and more specifically abu , "elephant’s tooth."

In Ancient Egypt ivory was as precious as ebony , and it was used in jewelry and as an ornament in the decoration of rooms, furniture, and temples.

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In modern English barge is the word to name a flat-bottomed vessel, and for some reason, its shape instantly reminds us of ancient civilizations. The assumption is correct since the term derives from the Latin barca, which comes from the Ancient Egyptian word bar or bari . The bar was a type of boat used in the River Nile to transport food, construction materials, and royals and peasants alike.

The French language later took the Latin word and transformed it into barque , an ancestor of the English verb embark . The rest is history.

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Some etymologists establish that the word alchemy comes from the Arabic al-kīmiyā and the Ancient Greek khumeía . Other scholars argue that alchemy , used as a scientific term until the 1600s when it was debunked by the more accurate chemistry , is derived from kēme . In Ancient Egypt kēme meant "black earth" and was used to describe the fertile land in the Nile Valley .

The theory that the term alchemy has an Egyptian origin makes perfect sense. It is believed that the Egyptian city of Alexandria is where alchemical thought, a practice that combined science with religion and philosophy , was born.

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Lily and Susan are two very popular names in the English language and they have in common that they share an Ancient Egyptian origin . It turns out that they both refer to flowers too!

The English word lily has roots in the Latin līlia and ancient Greek leírion , which etymologists connect with ḥrrt, the ancient Egyptian word for "flower" . Susan, at the same time, comes from the word sSn (seshen) meaning "lotus" or "water lily".

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The jury is still out with this one. If you look up the etymology of the English word desert you’ll find it derives from the Latin desertum , which means "an abandoned place". However, there might be a connection with the ancient Egyptian term deshret , which means "red land". Sounds very similar, right?

Sometimes it is not entirely possible to establish exactly where a word comes from, however, it is always a fun experience to compare different languages to find potential origins and connections that we had never thought possible.

INSIDER INSIGHTS

10 Fascinating Facts About the U.S. Congress

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The United States Congress has held a central role in American governance, shaping laws and policies for over two hundred years. Yet, beyond its legislative functions, the time-honored institution harbors intriguing facts that are often overshadowed by the political debates.

Join us for a tour of 10 of the most surprising aspects of Capitol Hill, shedding light on the inner workings of America's legislative powerhouse.

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Derived from the Latin word "congressus," meaning "a coming together," the original meaning of the term perfectly encapsulates the essence of legislative deliberation. Interestingly, the U.S. Congress also convenes at the Capitol, a name stemming from the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome, a symbol of authority and governance in the ancient Republic.

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A filibuster is a political strategy often used in congressional settings where a representative tries to stall or delay the voting of a proposed bill. A form of obstruction, it is technically allowed, but it can also be brought to an end with the help of other legal measures like cloture , as long as there are enough votes. In 1957, Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina embarked on a marathon filibuster lasting 24 hours and 18 minutes, setting the record for the longest individual speech in Senate history.

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Beneath the bustling corridors of Capitol Hill lies an intricate network of subterranean passages, including an internal subway system. Although the actual cars are quite small, they remain an essential service for both lawmakers and staff, as these underground tunnels connect key buildings within the Capitol complex, ensuring efficient movement between legislative sessions, committee hearings, and office spaces.

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Amidst the weighty deliberations and legislative duties, members of Congress occasionally set aside their political differences for a lighthearted tradition: the annual Congressional Baseball Game. Dating back to 1909, this sporting event pits Democratic and Republican representatives against each other in a friendly game of baseball, raising funds for charity and fostering camaraderie across party lines. The game is often attended by staff, congressional families, and sometimes even U.S. presidents.

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Hilariously, the lovable Sesame Street character Elmo was invited to testify before Congress in 2002, becoming the first non-human to ever testify on Capitol Hill (and the first Congressional witness to ever attempt to eat his microphone!). Though staff and representatives were amused with this presence, Elmo’s mission was a very serious one, as he was there to advocate for increased funding for music education in public schools.

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Beyond presiding over the Senate and casting tie-breaking votes, the Vice President plays a multifaceted role in the U.S. Congress. As the second-highest-ranking official in the executive branch, the Vice President often serves as a liaison between the White House and Capitol Hill, advocating for administration priorities and engaging in legislative negotiations. Additionally, the Vice President may also assume leadership roles in specific policy initiatives, reflecting their broader influence within the federal government.

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Established in 1793, the Architect of the Capitol is tasked with overseeing the maintenance, preservation, and renovation of the iconic buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill. The position is directly appointed by the President of the United States for a 10-year term. Although the role of Architect of the Capitol didn’t exist at the time, William Thornton is recognized as the "first architect," for his design of the U.S. Capitol in 1789.

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Before the construction of the Capitol building, the U.S. Congress convened in various locations, including Federal Hall in New York City and Congress Hall in Philadelphia. These historic sites served as the backdrop for key legislative debates and the drafting of foundational documents, such as the Bill of Rights.

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A longstanding culinary tradition in the U.S. Senate, bean soup has been served in the Senate dining room for over a century. The soup consists mainly of navy beans, ham hocks, and onion, but in the past, it often included celery, garlic, and parsley. Legend has it that Senator Fred Dubois of Idaho insisted on the dish's inclusion on the menu, citing its affordability and nutritional value.

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Who knew senators had a sweet tooth? A tradition that was started in 1965 by California senator George Murphy, the "candy desk" is exactly what you would expect: a drawer filled to the brim with assorted candy where other members of the Senate can go and grab something to chew on during lengthy debates and voting sessions. However, the candy desk is not a specific desk in the Senate Chamber but a sort of unofficial position a senator assumes, making him responsible for keeping the desk stocked.