Your Greek Word On A Sunday

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go!

And it’s here! Happy Halloween, let the spooky words in! 
Herodotus in the 5th century BC wrote about the  Egyptian writing. He was fascinated by their use of two different systems, the sacred and the common and how they wrot...

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go!

From Ancient Greek and  Latin to French and English, this word has never lost its meaning. It just changed religions . Πρό (pro) is a preposition meaning ‘before’ but also ‘outwards’ φημί (fimi) in Ancient Greek meant ‘I say/I speak’ . The one that speaks on behalf of...

10 years ago in a little room in Hackney, in London me and my Laptop started recording an idea . A connection. My heritage and your everyday. My culture and your language . Where I come from and where I am now. With you. This podcast has grown in quality, ambition and audience but there's one thing that's constant,  you. You have been listening non stop. From all over the world. You show up every week and that’s what keeps me going. Thank you for being here. For your comments, your reviews and for spreading the word. You made this podcast las...

And just like that, we’re at the end of season nine! How did that happen? I want to thank everyone who stayed with me for another season, everyone new who joined us  this year and everyone who commented and reviewed the podcast. It feels great reading what you think and since this is a solo venture it’s great when I know you’re out there, listening. Thank you again and…on with our episode! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology...

Hello Dunedin (ντανίντν) in New Zealand! Welcome to the family! A city with great architecture and history but most importantly, rent prices so affordable that artists can thrive there! From what I’m reading it’s an artistically vibrant city, Galleries, live music and theatre ! Oh I’m certainly visiting. Thank you for listening Dunedin.

If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode!

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On...

Welcoming Payakumbuh in Indonesia today! The city with a long tradition of a secret negotiation for livestock trades. The Marosok Tradition: Buyers and sellers hide their hands under a cloth and communicate the price by touching. It’s a whole different language of touching and tapping and squeezing different parts of the hand and it means something different depending on which is used . Isn’t that fascinating? Thank you for listening Payakumbuh! 

If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words...

Happy July everyone, welcoming Houston in Texas this week. The city that was built on a scam. Oh yes, in the 19th century the Allen brothers bought very cheap land in Houston because it was, literally, a swamp. They started a campaign describing Houston as a Mediterranean paradise. Hills and breeze and a port that ships can travel to and fro. You have to remember, it was a different time so, people bought into it and then, moved into a reality that had nothing to do with what was advertised to them. When they tried to leave, the Allens...

Welcoming Devon in the UK today and particularly, Exeter. The town who’s underground passageways that used to bring fresh water into It, are still open to the public to visit through guided tours. If you’re not afraid of underground tight spaces that is. Thank you for listening Exeter! 

If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode!

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunda...

Welcoming Minneapolis this week, the third largest theatre city in the US after New York and Chicago! So make sure you catch a show if you visit! Thank you for listening Minneapolis !

If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode!

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela...

Welcoming Las Palmas of the Canary islands today! I have a fact that you wouldn’t expect from a holiday destination but I’m an actor so, of course, I found a theatre one. One of the most beautiful theatres in Las Palmas, Teatro Perez Galdós, is said to be haunted by the writer that gave it its name, Benito Perez Galdós. Although, considering how he fought against fanatical religious beliefs all his life and being a realist writer becoming a ghost seems unlikely, he is known to be a trickster ghost more than a scary one and pu...

Happy June everyone! If you like what you hear in this podcast, you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode!

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go!

This month...

Welcoming Casablanca today! An ancient city that was established by Berbers in the 7th century BC and was later a pirates' port. Thank you for listening Casablanca!
If you like what you hear in this podcast, you can subscribe, download and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way! On with our episode!

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in...

I am welcoming Denver in Colorado this week! Oh my, this city has too many facts to choose from but there’s one that won my heart! And although it was a marketing ploy to make people move west in the late 1800s and it doesn’t have  ‘300 days of sunshine’ it still has 245. That’s all you need to know, people! 245 days of sunshine. Thank you for listening Denver! 

If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, follow and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long way...

Triceps

Let’s hear it for Birmingham joining our audience this week!  The  second biggest city in England, nicknamed ‘the city of a thousand trades’ because during the Industrial revolution it was the fuel of the country, from jewellery to heavy machinery. And today, there’s a show with that name by the Birmingham Royal Ballet paying homage to the city.  Welcome Birmingham! Thank you for listening. 

If you like what you hear in this podcast you can subscribe, follow and review it wherever you listen. A click and a few nice words go a long wa...

Welcome Cordoba! I’m so glad you joined our audience. This is the city where Christopher Columbus first met with Queen Isabella and secured a stipend to continue his studies and prepare for his expedition . One of the Queen’s demands was that he wouldn’t go to any other monarchs for funding. And the rest is history.  Thank you for listening Cordoba!

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the...

Happy May everyone! Give a big welcome to Mexico City! The birthplace of colour television. Oh yes! In the 1940s, 23 year old Guillermo Gonzales Camarena invented the 'chromoscopic adaptor for television equipment'. The base for what would become colour television 10 years later. Thank you for listening Mexico City! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this i...

Hello everyone! If you like this podcast why not spread the word? Leave us a review or a comment on the platform of your choice, it helps other people find us by nudging the algorithm to suggest us and , it puts a smile on my face reading what you have to say. You can also email me at yourgreeksunday@gmail.com with any questions or comments about what you hear in this podcast and if you don’t want to do any of that, thank you for listening, that’s more than enough! On with our episode!

(Pian...

Hello everyone! Give a warm welcome to Kansas city in Kansas for joining us! And I made a point mentioning it’s in Kansas because there are two Kansas cities . Oh yes, one in Kansas and one in Missouri and they’re divided by a single road. There’s a lot of history as to why and how that happened but both cities are named after the river that runs through them and that river is named after the Native American tribe Kanza that used to be there. Thanks for listening Kansas . Now cross the road and tell your neighb...

Hello everyone, excuse my voice today but I do have a cold. Greetings to the beautiful city of Cork in the Republic of Ireland. Welcome to our audience ! Did you know that Cork has a butter museum? Of course it does! It was after all, the butter capital of the western world; and by that I mean its largest supplier in the 18th century. Thank you for listening Cork! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, E...

Hello Pittsburgh! Welcome to the family and thank you for creating the very first emergency medical services in America!  Freedom House Ambulance Service was created in 1967 and was staffed entirely by trained black men and women. Listener, go look at its history and see what these amazing people achieved back then! Thank you for listening Pittsburgh! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to en...

And we’re back to greeting our new audiences this time from Pristina in Kosovo! Did you know that 50% of the population of Kosovo's Capital is under 30? Sounds like a vibrant city to me! Thank you for listening Pristina! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go!

In...

Taking a break from welcoming cities today because I’d like to remind you to leave us a review on the platform of your choice. It means a lot more than you think, it helps other people find us. If you also like to email me with comments or questions about anything you’ve heard in this podcast feel free to do so at yourgreeksunday@gmail.com On with our episode! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your...

I’m very happy to welcome Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria in our audience ! With a name that means ‘Wisdom’ in Greek and being one of its closest neighbours it’s inexcusable that I’m yet to visit! One thing I’ll be looking for when I do, is the bells monument; Built in the ‘80s as a global children’s monument with the idea to include a bell dedicated to every country in the world and to have children ring these as a gesture of peace. Something we’re in desperate need of. Thank you for listening Sofia! Or Σοφία (Sofía) i...

 A big welcome to Bangkok today! I’m so happy to have you in our audience. The city has a series of modesty laws including one that states that you should always wear underwear when you’re in a public space. Don’t worry , nobody will check but make sure it doesn’t show. Thank you for listening Bangkok!

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want...

Today, I’d like to welcome Olso in our audience! Oslo has a fantastic first! It was the first city to design a bee highway. A series of rooftops, green spaces and balconies were bees can follow throughout the city and pollinate! Thank you for that and for listening Oslo! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few min...

This week, I’d like to welcome Reno in Nevada. Did you know that from the 1930s, and well into the 50s, Reno was called the divorce capital of the world? Hollywood actors would go there to get a divorce quickly because it only required a six week residency. Also called a ‘six week cure’. And if you’re wondering, no, it’s not happening anymore. Thank you for listening Reno!

Do you have a fun fact about the city you’re listening from? Email me at yourgreesunday@gmail.com and let the world know!

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A big welcome to the small town of Voorburg in the Netherlands! It was fascinating to read about the history of this  town. It’s one of the oldest inhabited places  in the Netherlands, dating back to the 1st century and its name means ‘in front of the castle’. Thank you for listening Voorburg. I hope I'm saying your name right.

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, i...

Welcoming one of my favourite cities this week. Vienna! Did you know that there are more dead people occupying the Vienna cemetery than alive people in the city? Ha!  Welcome Vienna , thank you for listening! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

This word has an ext...

Hello! This week I’m happy to welcome Toronto in our audience! Did you know that in Mohawk language 'Toronto' means ‘the place where trees stand in water’? You do now! Thank you for listening Toronto!

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

Στένω (steno) is an Ancient Gree...

Today’s shout out goes to Rio De Janeiro! Welcome Rio! Thank you for listening! I would definitely like to visit  one day given how much I enjoy Brazilian food and music. Did you know that the stars on Brazil's flag represent the sky over Rio on November 15, 1889, when the Republic was proclaimed?. You do now! And that fact takes us straight to today’s episode.

(Piano music)Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and where...

I’d like to thank the global audience this podcast has developed throughout the years . You have been incredibly loyal and supportive .127 countries have been constantly listening and as impossible as it would be to mention every single city, town, and village, I will be giving a shout out to a new place every week. You can also email me at yourgreeksunday@gmail.com to let me know where you’re listening from. I always love hearing from you! Today a shout out to a new addition to our audience; Akron in Ohio, which was named by general Simon Perk...

(Piano music) 

Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

Now this is a surprising word. Not because of the way it arrived in English but because of how it evolved. Σχολή (scholi) in Ancient Greek Meant the interval from work. Your free time. What was considered the ideal or sociall...

Happy New Year Everybody! May you have a  healthy and prosperous 2026 and may you be as passionate for the people and the things you love, as an Ancient Greek! If you like what you hear in this podcast, subscribe, share and review on the platform of your choice. It helps other people find us and a good word goes a long way! On with our first episode! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia an...

As the year ends and cold weather is setting, I thought of telling you a winter tale. And finish the year with the thought that, from the beginning of time, people always looked up to the vastness of the sky and tried to find meaning in our existence by creating and sharing stories and bringing everyone together. To listen. As an actor I couldn’t more proud to be human and be able to tell stories in any way I can. Thank you for staying with me this year, your company has been invaluable. See you in 2026!

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Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

Merry Christmas to those celebrating and I hope you’ll have a few restful days those of you who don’t. I was as surprised as you’ll be to find out that this is a combination of Greek words bu...

(piano music) 

Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

Today’s word is mostly known through Biblical stories but in the ancient world it was a high valued resin used as medicine and fragrance. And the name in Arabic means ‘bitter’. Trade, brought it to Greece from South Arabia a...

(piano music) 

Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

The countdown to Christmas has begun and It wouldn’t be December if I didn’t enter it with a cold! So I hope my voice is not too distracting and you can enjoy today’s episode! I have to thank...

Hi, thank you all for your ratings and reviews so far, I love reading what you think and it does help other people find us so please, keep them coming. If you have any questions or comments about what you hear in this podcast you can email us at yourgreeksunday@gmail.com and you can also follow us on Instagram at @yourgreeksunday . Before we move on with today’s word I’d like to correct myself on last week’s episode. Of course Apollo wasn’t Cyclops’s dad, it was Poseidon. I mix up my Olympians sometimes.  Oops! On with tod...

(piano music) 

Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

Following up from last week’s episode on giants and fossils here’s another word that comes  with a mythical creature attached. When ancient Greeks found animal fossils that looked enormous, they called them ‘Giants’ but, when they found enormous fo...

Hello , if you like what you hear in this podcast leave us a review on the platform of your choice. It helps other people find us and I love reading what you think! 

(piano music) 

Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

We now know that anc...