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
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...
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
there's a moment in PARADISE LOST where Satan arrives in Eden and realizes Hell isn't a place; it's a thing he carries within him and it'll follow him wherever he goes. and i think about that when i see these awful rich men whose monstrous wealth has enriched them not at all
“whatever club he’s invited to join has been devalued by the invitation”
November 11, 2025 at 6:31 AM
there's a moment in PARADISE LOST where Satan arrives in Eden and realizes Hell isn't a place; it's a thing he carries within him and it'll follow him wherever he goes. and i think about that when i see these awful rich men whose monstrous wealth has enriched them not at all
It's not unusual in our modern world for a book to be found on more than one continent. Mine has joined a more exclusive intercontinental club, though, now that there's a copy in the library of the UK Research Station in Antarctica!
November 10, 2025 at 11:06 AM
It's not unusual in our modern world for a book to be found on more than one continent. Mine has joined a more exclusive intercontinental club, though, now that there's a copy in the library of the UK Research Station in Antarctica!
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
I opened this week’s Economist and what did I see? A review of @dannybate.bsky.social ‘s “charming” new book! Huzzah!
November 9, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I opened this week’s Economist and what did I see? A review of @dannybate.bsky.social ‘s “charming” new book! Huzzah!
The German word for 'first', erste, is unsurprisingly unrelated to English's, but I like how each has a current cognate in the other language.
The English word is related to German Fürst 'prince' (the 'foremost', like Latin princeps), while the cognate of German erste can be found in 'erstwhile'.
The English word is related to German Fürst 'prince' (the 'foremost', like Latin princeps), while the cognate of German erste can be found in 'erstwhile'.
November 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The German word for 'first', erste, is unsurprisingly unrelated to English's, but I like how each has a current cognate in the other language.
The English word is related to German Fürst 'prince' (the 'foremost', like Latin princeps), while the cognate of German erste can be found in 'erstwhile'.
The English word is related to German Fürst 'prince' (the 'foremost', like Latin princeps), while the cognate of German erste can be found in 'erstwhile'.
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
I was delighted to review @dannybate.bsky.social's excellent "Why Q Needs U" in this week's Economist.
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
November 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I was delighted to review @dannybate.bsky.social's excellent "Why Q Needs U" in this week's Economist.
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
Cara was a word for 'face' in everyday Latin, very rare in ancient writings, but it took off in Romance languages like Spanish.
Cara became chiere in Old French, and via the Normans, it took on new meanings in English, going from 'facial expression' to 'happiness' and 'loud shout' – namely, cheer.
Cara became chiere in Old French, and via the Normans, it took on new meanings in English, going from 'facial expression' to 'happiness' and 'loud shout' – namely, cheer.
November 7, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Cara was a word for 'face' in everyday Latin, very rare in ancient writings, but it took off in Romance languages like Spanish.
Cara became chiere in Old French, and via the Normans, it took on new meanings in English, going from 'facial expression' to 'happiness' and 'loud shout' – namely, cheer.
Cara became chiere in Old French, and via the Normans, it took on new meanings in English, going from 'facial expression' to 'happiness' and 'loud shout' – namely, cheer.
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Made a site where you can practise Old English scansion. You get given a half-line and have to select which of Sievers's five types it belongs to.
Just Beowulf for now, but that's 6364 half-lines to be getting on with: dgplacenames.github.io/scansion/
[Data: clasp.ell.ox.ac.uk/]
Just Beowulf for now, but that's 6364 half-lines to be getting on with: dgplacenames.github.io/scansion/
[Data: clasp.ell.ox.ac.uk/]
November 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Made a site where you can practise Old English scansion. You get given a half-line and have to select which of Sievers's five types it belongs to.
Just Beowulf for now, but that's 6364 half-lines to be getting on with: dgplacenames.github.io/scansion/
[Data: clasp.ell.ox.ac.uk/]
Just Beowulf for now, but that's 6364 half-lines to be getting on with: dgplacenames.github.io/scansion/
[Data: clasp.ell.ox.ac.uk/]
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
BBC really burying the lede there
November 7, 2025 at 12:07 PM
BBC really burying the lede there
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Had to dig this up.
November 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Had to dig this up.
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
I'm in PastsImperfect! along with a lot of very cool and exciting news 😍
November 6, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I'm in PastsImperfect! along with a lot of very cool and exciting news 😍
"A delightful history of a mongrel language" – so says The Economist about my book, with a lovely graphic too.
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
Why Anglophones use the alphabet so oddly
A delightful history of a mongrel language
www.economist.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:35 PM
"A delightful history of a mongrel language" – so says The Economist about my book, with a lovely graphic too.
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
A delightful history of a mongrel language
Why Anglophones use the alphabet so oddly
A delightful history of a mongrel language
econ.st
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A delightful history of a mongrel language
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Took the cats out for a walk with my brother and accidentally created a 90s Britpop album cover
November 5, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Took the cats out for a walk with my brother and accidentally created a 90s Britpop album cover
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
“In 1096, a group of monks were kicked out (again) from their monastery, on account of being monks the wrong way. This is the kind of deeply medieval debacle that leaves modern souls perplexed and yawning.”
Following instructions to "write like crazy" on a range of topics, I broadened my authorial horizons and wrote this long piece on medieval, religious and Czech history. Hardly out of character, I know.
The piece isn't primarily about language, though, so that's growth.
dannybate.com/2025/11/05/s...
The piece isn't primarily about language, though, so that's growth.
dannybate.com/2025/11/05/s...
Sázava and the Consolidation of the West
Central-Bohemian towns with 4,000 inhabitants rarely star as the headline destinations of travel vloggers and guidebooks to the Czech Republic. Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary, Plzeň, Olomouc, Český Kru…
dannybate.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:50 PM
“In 1096, a group of monks were kicked out (again) from their monastery, on account of being monks the wrong way. This is the kind of deeply medieval debacle that leaves modern souls perplexed and yawning.”
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
“Such was the fame of this Bohemian recluse (who died in 1053) that he was joined by other hermits.
See how the eremitic life, done well, is self-defeating, in that the exemplary hermit soon attracts company.”
Lol
See how the eremitic life, done well, is self-defeating, in that the exemplary hermit soon attracts company.”
Lol
Following instructions to "write like crazy" on a range of topics, I broadened my authorial horizons and wrote this long piece on medieval, religious and Czech history. Hardly out of character, I know.
The piece isn't primarily about language, though, so that's growth.
dannybate.com/2025/11/05/s...
The piece isn't primarily about language, though, so that's growth.
dannybate.com/2025/11/05/s...
Sázava and the Consolidation of the West
Central-Bohemian towns with 4,000 inhabitants rarely star as the headline destinations of travel vloggers and guidebooks to the Czech Republic. Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary, Plzeň, Olomouc, Český Kru…
dannybate.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:29 PM
“Such was the fame of this Bohemian recluse (who died in 1053) that he was joined by other hermits.
See how the eremitic life, done well, is self-defeating, in that the exemplary hermit soon attracts company.”
Lol
See how the eremitic life, done well, is self-defeating, in that the exemplary hermit soon attracts company.”
Lol
Following instructions to "write like crazy" on a range of topics, I broadened my authorial horizons and wrote this long piece on medieval, religious and Czech history. Hardly out of character, I know.
The piece isn't primarily about language, though, so that's growth.
dannybate.com/2025/11/05/s...
The piece isn't primarily about language, though, so that's growth.
dannybate.com/2025/11/05/s...
Sázava and the Consolidation of the West
Central-Bohemian towns with 4,000 inhabitants rarely star as the headline destinations of travel vloggers and guidebooks to the Czech Republic. Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary, Plzeň, Olomouc, Český Kru…
dannybate.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Following instructions to "write like crazy" on a range of topics, I broadened my authorial horizons and wrote this long piece on medieval, religious and Czech history. Hardly out of character, I know.
The piece isn't primarily about language, though, so that's growth.
dannybate.com/2025/11/05/s...
The piece isn't primarily about language, though, so that's growth.
dannybate.com/2025/11/05/s...
November 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Looking forward to running a stall all about ancient alphabets at the public Read Between the Lines fair in Oxford next week (Cheney School, Tuesday 11th). Come by to learn all about the history of writing — plus a short play about emojis!
@TheIrisProject @RumbleMuseum
pub.marq.com/40443503-03d...
@TheIrisProject @RumbleMuseum
pub.marq.com/40443503-03d...
Read Between The Lines Brochure
pub.marq.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Looking forward to running a stall all about ancient alphabets at the public Read Between the Lines fair in Oxford next week (Cheney School, Tuesday 11th). Come by to learn all about the history of writing — plus a short play about emojis!
@TheIrisProject @RumbleMuseum
pub.marq.com/40443503-03d...
@TheIrisProject @RumbleMuseum
pub.marq.com/40443503-03d...
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
The German word ‘Pferd’ and its Dutch cognate ‘paard’ are horses of mixed breed parentage.
Their common ancestor came from Latin ‘paraverēdus’ (substitute post-horse), a word composed of an Ancient Greek element and a Gaulish one.
Zoom in on my new infographic to learn everything about it:
Their common ancestor came from Latin ‘paraverēdus’ (substitute post-horse), a word composed of an Ancient Greek element and a Gaulish one.
Zoom in on my new infographic to learn everything about it:
November 4, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The German word ‘Pferd’ and its Dutch cognate ‘paard’ are horses of mixed breed parentage.
Their common ancestor came from Latin ‘paraverēdus’ (substitute post-horse), a word composed of an Ancient Greek element and a Gaulish one.
Zoom in on my new infographic to learn everything about it:
Their common ancestor came from Latin ‘paraverēdus’ (substitute post-horse), a word composed of an Ancient Greek element and a Gaulish one.
Zoom in on my new infographic to learn everything about it:
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
@dannybate.bsky.social
Your book finally made it all the way up north to Scandinavia and Stockholm!
This reader is delighted!
Your book finally made it all the way up north to Scandinavia and Stockholm!
This reader is delighted!
November 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
@dannybate.bsky.social
Your book finally made it all the way up north to Scandinavia and Stockholm!
This reader is delighted!
Your book finally made it all the way up north to Scandinavia and Stockholm!
This reader is delighted!
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
What did you think we meant by the phrase "dead language?"
Remember today that some ghosts may just be trying to speak to you in Latin.
October 31, 2025 at 6:47 PM
What did you think we meant by the phrase "dead language?"
There are interviews in which I stick to the script. Then there are interviews with old friends in which I get to go off on one about the Czech National Revival
For the weekend delight of lovely Patrons, I interviewed the wonderful @dannybate.bsky.social about the history of the alphabet, when it's cute to do nationalism about it and when it isn't, and whether or not the letter Q is a diva. Check it out from only £1 a month!
www.patreon.com/posts/danny-...
www.patreon.com/posts/danny-...
Danny Bate on the alphabet, language, and what nationalism does to language | Dr Eleanor Janega
Get more from Dr Eleanor Janega on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:54 PM
There are interviews in which I stick to the script. Then there are interviews with old friends in which I get to go off on one about the Czech National Revival
Reposted by Dr Danny Bate
For the weekend delight of lovely Patrons, I interviewed the wonderful @dannybate.bsky.social about the history of the alphabet, when it's cute to do nationalism about it and when it isn't, and whether or not the letter Q is a diva. Check it out from only £1 a month!
www.patreon.com/posts/danny-...
www.patreon.com/posts/danny-...
Danny Bate on the alphabet, language, and what nationalism does to language | Dr Eleanor Janega
Get more from Dr Eleanor Janega on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:30 PM
For the weekend delight of lovely Patrons, I interviewed the wonderful @dannybate.bsky.social about the history of the alphabet, when it's cute to do nationalism about it and when it isn't, and whether or not the letter Q is a diva. Check it out from only £1 a month!
www.patreon.com/posts/danny-...
www.patreon.com/posts/danny-...