Dr Danny Bate
@dannybate.bsky.social
"That etymology guy". Linguist, broadcaster (formerly on Czech Radio), writer, researcher, language fanatic. Get 'Why Q Needs U' here: https://geni.us/WhyQNeedsU. Host of ALILI podcast. Website: https://dannybate.com/. Inquiries: jaime@jpmarshall.co.uk
Pinned
Dr Danny Bate
@dannybate.bsky.social
· Oct 15
Why does Q always need a U? A quirky guide to the alphabet
The letter A was once an ox’s head and O was an eye — you’ll never look at a keyboard the same way after reading Danny Bate’s fascinating linguistic history
www.thetimes.com
The Times, specifically @jamesmcconnachie.bsky.social, has in this joyful review kindly bestowed on my book Britain's highest description: "lovely"
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
If this Georgian word does come from Byzantium, then it has English connections too!
The name of Byzantium is widely thought to come from a personal name, and before that the word *būz- 'male goat' in the extinct Thracian language. If so, it's a distant cousin of 'buck' and 'butcher' in English.
The name of Byzantium is widely thought to come from a personal name, and before that the word *būz- 'male goat' in the extinct Thracian language. If so, it's a distant cousin of 'buck' and 'butcher' in English.
Georgian has a pretty distinct word for 'Greek': berʒeni (ბერძენი).
It's been explained as deriving from a word for 'wise', with Greece thought of as the land of wise people, but a more plausible explanation is that it comes from the city of Byzantium, centuries before it became Constantinople.
It's been explained as deriving from a word for 'wise', with Greece thought of as the land of wise people, but a more plausible explanation is that it comes from the city of Byzantium, centuries before it became Constantinople.
December 30, 2025 at 10:52 AM
If this Georgian word does come from Byzantium, then it has English connections too!
The name of Byzantium is widely thought to come from a personal name, and before that the word *būz- 'male goat' in the extinct Thracian language. If so, it's a distant cousin of 'buck' and 'butcher' in English.
The name of Byzantium is widely thought to come from a personal name, and before that the word *būz- 'male goat' in the extinct Thracian language. If so, it's a distant cousin of 'buck' and 'butcher' in English.
Georgian has a pretty distinct word for 'Greek': berʒeni (ბერძენი).
It's been explained as deriving from a word for 'wise', with Greece thought of as the land of wise people, but a more plausible explanation is that it comes from the city of Byzantium, centuries before it became Constantinople.
It's been explained as deriving from a word for 'wise', with Greece thought of as the land of wise people, but a more plausible explanation is that it comes from the city of Byzantium, centuries before it became Constantinople.
December 29, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Georgian has a pretty distinct word for 'Greek': berʒeni (ბერძენი).
It's been explained as deriving from a word for 'wise', with Greece thought of as the land of wise people, but a more plausible explanation is that it comes from the city of Byzantium, centuries before it became Constantinople.
It's been explained as deriving from a word for 'wise', with Greece thought of as the land of wise people, but a more plausible explanation is that it comes from the city of Byzantium, centuries before it became Constantinople.
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
Speakers of languages that have formal/informal ways of addressing others (e.g. French vous/tu) and a culture of progressing through familiarity from the former to the latter:
Does it ever go backwards? Could someone revert to formal 'you' as a signal of an ended friendship?
Does it ever go backwards? Could someone revert to formal 'you' as a signal of an ended friendship?
December 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Speakers of languages that have formal/informal ways of addressing others (e.g. French vous/tu) and a culture of progressing through familiarity from the former to the latter:
Does it ever go backwards? Could someone revert to formal 'you' as a signal of an ended friendship?
Does it ever go backwards? Could someone revert to formal 'you' as a signal of an ended friendship?
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
I’ve stumbled upon a podcast that is sort of the counterpart to @dannybate.bsky.social "A Language I Love is...", but for manuscripts - episode 5 starring Prof. @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social :)
www.podbean.com/media/share/...
www.podbean.com/media/share/...
Episode 5: Sonja Drimmer on Hieroglyphs, the wonder of creativity, and the Abduction of Ganymede
In Episode 5 of Inside My Favorite Manuscript, Dot and Lindsey chat with art historian Sonja Drimmer about British Library Royal MS 12 C iii, an early 16th century manuscript that purports to be a gui...
www.podbean.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I’ve stumbled upon a podcast that is sort of the counterpart to @dannybate.bsky.social "A Language I Love is...", but for manuscripts - episode 5 starring Prof. @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social :)
www.podbean.com/media/share/...
www.podbean.com/media/share/...
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
You need to read this story.
Cardiff couple invited man in for Christmas, he stayed for 45 years
An arrangement Rob and Dianne Parsons thought would last a few days ended up changing their lives.
www.bbc.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:38 AM
You need to read this story.
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
This gold solidus is the earliest coin to depict Jesus. It was minted in Constantinople in 450 to celebrate Emperor Marcian's marriage to Pulcheria. Jesus is shown between the imperial couple. This specimen from the Hunterian collection is the only known example in existence.
December 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
This gold solidus is the earliest coin to depict Jesus. It was minted in Constantinople in 450 to celebrate Emperor Marcian's marriage to Pulcheria. Jesus is shown between the imperial couple. This specimen from the Hunterian collection is the only known example in existence.
It's Christmas (Vánoce) here, and that means my in-laws' nativity scene is now out, including the most chilled Infant Jesus in the world. He looks very pleased with how this whole incarnation thing is going.
December 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
It's Christmas (Vánoce) here, and that means my in-laws' nativity scene is now out, including the most chilled Infant Jesus in the world. He looks very pleased with how this whole incarnation thing is going.
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
How would you motivate people to study foreign languages?
This German caller has the ultimate, definitive answer.
[I love this so much 💙]
This German caller has the ultimate, definitive answer.
[I love this so much 💙]
December 24, 2025 at 6:47 AM
How would you motivate people to study foreign languages?
This German caller has the ultimate, definitive answer.
[I love this so much 💙]
This German caller has the ultimate, definitive answer.
[I love this so much 💙]
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Working through the ALILI back catalogue at random means this is 18 months old, but: I had a jolt of recognition when Daria mentioned C18 word lists compiled by "Pallas". This is Peter Simon Pallas (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_S...), whom I knew from the fact a lot of Siberian birds carry his name.
December 24, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Working through the ALILI back catalogue at random means this is 18 months old, but: I had a jolt of recognition when Daria mentioned C18 word lists compiled by "Pallas". This is Peter Simon Pallas (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_S...), whom I knew from the fact a lot of Siberian birds carry his name.
An example of how individuals can shape spelling (that I wish I'd included in my book) is 'ache'.
It was historically spelled 'ake', but because Dr Johnson and others thought (reasonably but incorrectly) that it came from Greek, its spelling shifted to a Greek CH (like 'chronic', 'school') instead.
It was historically spelled 'ake', but because Dr Johnson and others thought (reasonably but incorrectly) that it came from Greek, its spelling shifted to a Greek CH (like 'chronic', 'school') instead.
December 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
An example of how individuals can shape spelling (that I wish I'd included in my book) is 'ache'.
It was historically spelled 'ake', but because Dr Johnson and others thought (reasonably but incorrectly) that it came from Greek, its spelling shifted to a Greek CH (like 'chronic', 'school') instead.
It was historically spelled 'ake', but because Dr Johnson and others thought (reasonably but incorrectly) that it came from Greek, its spelling shifted to a Greek CH (like 'chronic', 'school') instead.
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Train reading ft. @dannybate.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Train reading ft. @dannybate.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
If you're looking for a last-minute gift, may I recommend the audio version of Why Q Needs U? The book is 𝑓𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 on its own, but hearing the author read the words himself--with all the pronunciation & accent nuance inherent in the story of our alphabet--makes it even better!
The physical book isn't available in US shops yet, for reasons I don't fully understand, but it is available in audio and e-format!
geni.us/USWhyQNeedsU
geni.us/USWhyQNeedsU
December 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
If you're looking for a last-minute gift, may I recommend the audio version of Why Q Needs U? The book is 𝑓𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 on its own, but hearing the author read the words himself--with all the pronunciation & accent nuance inherent in the story of our alphabet--makes it even better!
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
A podcast I love is
@dannybate.bsky.social's 'A Language I Love Is'
Great discussions, lovely people and such enthusiasm for language!
Thank you for spreading the love!
@dannybate.bsky.social's 'A Language I Love Is'
Great discussions, lovely people and such enthusiasm for language!
Thank you for spreading the love!
December 22, 2025 at 10:43 AM
A podcast I love is
@dannybate.bsky.social's 'A Language I Love Is'
Great discussions, lovely people and such enthusiasm for language!
Thank you for spreading the love!
@dannybate.bsky.social's 'A Language I Love Is'
Great discussions, lovely people and such enthusiasm for language!
Thank you for spreading the love!
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
A big part of being a historian is being a detective! Who did this? Why? Where? Why does it matter in the grand scheme of things? You have to learn how to probe, how to uncover, how to read against the grain, how to find unusual sources, how to interpret those sources. How to piece together a puzzle
It also robs students of learning *how* to research.
December 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A big part of being a historian is being a detective! Who did this? Why? Where? Why does it matter in the grand scheme of things? You have to learn how to probe, how to uncover, how to read against the grain, how to find unusual sources, how to interpret those sources. How to piece together a puzzle
Still looking for a nice Christmas gift? How about a thoroughly linguistic book for a language-loving friend? Or for a language-hating enemy?
Here's a book that was named one of The Economist's books of 2025, and that was enjoyed by Stephen Fry and several members of my family.
geni.us/WhyQNeedsU
Here's a book that was named one of The Economist's books of 2025, and that was enjoyed by Stephen Fry and several members of my family.
geni.us/WhyQNeedsU
Why Q Needs U: A history of our letters and how we use them
Out now!
geni.us
December 21, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Still looking for a nice Christmas gift? How about a thoroughly linguistic book for a language-loving friend? Or for a language-hating enemy?
Here's a book that was named one of The Economist's books of 2025, and that was enjoyed by Stephen Fry and several members of my family.
geni.us/WhyQNeedsU
Here's a book that was named one of The Economist's books of 2025, and that was enjoyed by Stephen Fry and several members of my family.
geni.us/WhyQNeedsU
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Some much-needed good news, including
• renewables overtake coal as source of electricity globally
• new oceans protections pledged in the High Seas Treaty
• landmark litigation to facilitate accountability for climate breakdown
• indigenous wins at COP
🌱❣️🌊
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
• renewables overtake coal as source of electricity globally
• new oceans protections pledged in the High Seas Treaty
• landmark litigation to facilitate accountability for climate breakdown
• indigenous wins at COP
🌱❣️🌊
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
Seven quiet wins for climate and nature in 2025
Here are the year's breakthroughs for the climate and nature you might have missed.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Some much-needed good news, including
• renewables overtake coal as source of electricity globally
• new oceans protections pledged in the High Seas Treaty
• landmark litigation to facilitate accountability for climate breakdown
• indigenous wins at COP
🌱❣️🌊
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
• renewables overtake coal as source of electricity globally
• new oceans protections pledged in the High Seas Treaty
• landmark litigation to facilitate accountability for climate breakdown
• indigenous wins at COP
🌱❣️🌊
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
People in Oxford or thereabouts! Come see @susiedentwords.bsky.social in February, in conversation with a significantly less famous guy who's inexplicably and hilariously been given top billing!
December 20, 2025 at 9:46 PM
People in Oxford or thereabouts! Come see @susiedentwords.bsky.social in February, in conversation with a significantly less famous guy who's inexplicably and hilariously been given top billing!
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Many English words stem from Latin.
But did you know there are Latin words that ended up in English two times - in two different forms? These are called doublets.
Over the next days, you'll see doublets in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, Galician, Dutch, and English again.
But did you know there are Latin words that ended up in English two times - in two different forms? These are called doublets.
Over the next days, you'll see doublets in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, Galician, Dutch, and English again.
December 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Many English words stem from Latin.
But did you know there are Latin words that ended up in English two times - in two different forms? These are called doublets.
Over the next days, you'll see doublets in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, Galician, Dutch, and English again.
But did you know there are Latin words that ended up in English two times - in two different forms? These are called doublets.
Over the next days, you'll see doublets in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, Galician, Dutch, and English again.
My (Czech, non-religious) wife had apparently not heard the traditional English wording of the Lord's Prayer before, what with its archaic words and meanings, because in response to "thy will be done", she innocently asked "thy what will be done?"
December 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM
My (Czech, non-religious) wife had apparently not heard the traditional English wording of the Lord's Prayer before, what with its archaic words and meanings, because in response to "thy will be done", she innocently asked "thy what will be done?"
'Hubris' is a recent (19th-century) arrival in English, taken directly from Ancient Greek ὕβρις. That's reflected in its spelling – English has historically rendered the Greek letter upsilon with Y (e.g. 'cycle', 'gym'), but 'hubris' gets a U.
'Hybris' is also documented, but it hasn't caught on.
'Hybris' is also documented, but it hasn't caught on.
December 18, 2025 at 3:53 PM
'Hubris' is a recent (19th-century) arrival in English, taken directly from Ancient Greek ὕβρις. That's reflected in its spelling – English has historically rendered the Greek letter upsilon with Y (e.g. 'cycle', 'gym'), but 'hubris' gets a U.
'Hybris' is also documented, but it hasn't caught on.
'Hybris' is also documented, but it hasn't caught on.
Still looking for investors for my medieval-themed dairy-produce stall called Ȝurt
December 17, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Still looking for investors for my medieval-themed dairy-produce stall called Ȝurt
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
This spooky carved relief of Ankou, the Breton personification of death, can found on the ossuary of the church of St Yves in La Roche-Maurice. He holds an arrow and a banner that reads 'JE VOUS TUE TOUS' (I kill you all). #ReliefWednesday
December 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
This spooky carved relief of Ankou, the Breton personification of death, can found on the ossuary of the church of St Yves in La Roche-Maurice. He holds an arrow and a banner that reads 'JE VOUS TUE TOUS' (I kill you all). #ReliefWednesday
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
if there's one thing i've learnt from this book, it's that the english would literally do anything rather than introduce diacritics
The Times, specifically @jamesmcconnachie.bsky.social, has in this joyful review kindly bestowed on my book Britain's highest description: "lovely"
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
Why does Q always need a U? A quirky guide to the alphabet
The letter A was once an ox’s head and O was an eye — you’ll never look at a keyboard the same way after reading Danny Bate’s fascinating linguistic history
www.thetimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:40 PM
if there's one thing i've learnt from this book, it's that the english would literally do anything rather than introduce diacritics