Tripos is the final honours examination for a B.A. degree at Cambridge University. This word originates from the Latin word tripus, which means ‘tripod’. Tripus refers to the three-legged stool on which a graduate sat to deliver a satirical speech at the degree ceremony.
The name ‘rocket’ comes from the Italian word rocchetta, a name of a small firecracker created by the Italian artificer Muratori in 1379. Rocchetta means ‘little fuse’
The diamond is the hardest substance known, and therefore unbreakable. The word ‘diamond’ is derived from adamas, a Greek word which means ‘unconquerable’. The word adamas was altered to the Latin and early French word diamant and to the English word ‘diamond’.
They live and breathe the words of their beloved language. They go fanatical about words and their usage to the extent that they can even create a pool of words and swim in it all the time. 2. Thesauruses and dictionaries are like religious books for them. These will be available with them in all possible …
The number 17 can be written in Roman as XVII. When these numerals are rearranged, it reads VIXI, which means in Latin ‘I have lived’, meaning ‘my life is over’. The number 17 is therefore considered unlucky in Italy.
A fortnight means fourteen days. The word ‘fortnight’ is derived from the old English word ‘fēowertīeneniht’ which means ‘fourteen nights’. In the US, ‘two weeks’ is more commonly used instead of ‘a fortnight’. ‘Fortnightly’ is commonly used in the context of payment of salaries. In North America, however, ‘biweekly’ is more frequently used.
