Secret Words presented in Greek 2003.
Fall, 2008
University of Arkansas
On this page you will find the “secret words” which students
will present to the class (BELOW).
SECRET WORD PROCEDURES
Students will receive words to explain to the class in
short (3 minute) presentations at the beginning of class. Students presenters
will write Greek words on the board, and will help the class determine the
English words upon which they are based. Students will give etymologies
of several of these “Secret Words” on each examination. The Professor
will post words on the website as they are revealed…
The following is a description of the Secret Word presentation procedures.
1. Look up the word in a good English dictionary (with etymology).
2. Find out what Greek words underlie the English words.
3. Look up the Greek words in your Greek-English lexicon.
4. Write down the Greek words and their meanings, and show your work
to the Professor at least one week before your presentation.
5. Be sure that you understand and explain how the Greek words contribute
to the English words’ meaning.
In class on the assigned day, students will:
1. Write the Greek word(s) on the board, (including the article and genitive
case for nouns), and principal parts for verbs. Say the words aloud and
ask the class to repeat after you.
2. After asking the class to determine the meanings of the Greek words,
the presenter will write on the board the English translations of the Greek
words.
3. After the class attempts to establish the English word (“the
secret word”) derived from the Greek words, the presenter will write
the English word on the board, and define it.
NOTE: Presentations will between two and three minutes in length.
Students will put their Greek words on the board immediately before
class, so that when class begins, we can proceed expeditiously.
The didaskalos will grade the presentations on clarity, accuracy, and
efficient use of time; if appropriate, he will include “secret words”
on quizzes and examinations, and ask students to identify their etymologies.
NOTE: The secret words are confidential. Students are not to reveal
their words to others.
NOTE: Students are advised to look up all their secret words early
in the semester, and to consult with the professor if they have questions
about derivation, or if they have problems of any kind in finding the information
they need for their presentations. Such consultations with the professor
must occur before the day the word is presented.
An Example of a “Secret Word” presentation.
Student receives the word “etymology”.
1. Student looks in English dictionary, which says “etymology”
comes from the Greek etymon, and –logy.
2. Student looks in English dictionary under “Etymon”, and
finds that it comes from Greek etumon, “the literal sense of
a word according to its origin, an etymon”, from the Greek etumos,
-on, “true, real”.
3. Student looks in Greek lexicon under etumologia, and finds
that it means “the true account or analysis of a word: its derivation,
etymology.” The lexicon shows that the word comes from two other words:
etumos and logos.
4. Student looks up etumos -on, and finds that it is an adjective
of two endings that means “true, real, actual”.
5. Student looks up logos, and finds that it means “word”,
“account”.
6. On board, student writes in Greek letters:
etumos -on
ho logos, tou logou
7. Student pronounces the words on the board, and asks class to repeat
them aloud.
8. Student asks class to translate the Greek words.
9. Student writes “true” and “word” next to the appropriate
words.
10. Student asks class to identify the English “secret word”
[= etymology].
11. Student writes “ETYMOLOGY” on the board, and says that
it means the true account of a word’s derivation.
12. Student blushes, and bows to acknowledge the class’ spontaneous applause
and effusive expressions of approbation.
13. Student sits down in triumph.
Week 1
August 29 Friday Tom
Week 2
September 1 Monday – Labor Day Holiday. No class.
September 3 Wednesday – Jordan
September 5 Friday – Melody
Week 3
September 08 Monday – Drew
September 10 Wednesday – Josh
September 12 Friday – David
Week 4
September 15 Monday – Tom
September 17Wednesday Jordan
September 19 Friday – Melody
Week 5
September 22 Monday Drew
September 24 Wednesday Josh
September 26 Friday David
Week 6
September 29 Monday –
October 1 Wednesday –
October 3 – Friday –
Week 7
October 6 Monday –
October 8 Wednesday –
October 10 Friday –
Week 8
October 13 Monday –
October 15 Wednesday
October 17 Friday
Week 9
October 20 Monday –
October 22Wednesday –
October 24 Friday-
Week 10
October 27 Monday –
October 29 Wednesday – (no class)
October 31 Friday –
Week 11
November 3 Monday
November 5 Wednesday –
November 7 Friday –
Week 12
November 10 Monday
November 12 Wednesday
November 14 Friday (no class)
Week 13
November 17 Monday
November 19 Wednesday –
November 21 Friday –
Week 14
November 24 Monday –
November 21 Wednesday – Fall Break. No class
November 23 Friday – No Class. Thankgiving Holiday.
Week 15
December 1 Monday –
December 3 Wednesday –
December 5 Friday –
Week 16
Monday, December 8
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