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 . . .
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