And

So this post is about the ampersand, otherwise known as &.

If you don't already know, the ampersand in English, means and. In Latin, et.

The ampersand was actually created as a way to write et in a cursive-like way. The font I chose actually shows the "e" and "t" pretty well, but it didn't always look like it does now. You can see the evolution of the ampersand here. 

So every time you use an ampersand you are really saying et.

The Orient

The word "orient" comes from the Latin verb orior meaning to rise, to spring. So what does that have to do with Asia? Well, the sun rises in the East. So Asia, or the Orient, is where the sun rises.

Apparently, people used to call the West, the Occident, from the verb occido meaning to fall, to set (also to die or be ruined), but I've never heard the phrase used before, so this is just an extra, fun fact.

Cool, right?

P.S. My sister says I've turned into the guy from My Big Fat Greek Wedding who's always telling everyone that everything comes from Greek. Hmm . . .

Republic

The word republic comes from two words in Latin.

The word res means "matter, business, affair, circumstance, thing etc."

Publicus is an adjective meaning "of the state, common, public"

Together = public matters, state business

In Latin, they used it together, but as two separate words.