zoo (n.)
c.1847, short for Zoological Gardens of the London Zoological Society, established 1828 in Regent's Park to house the society's collection of wild animals. From comb. form of Greek zoion "an animal," literally "a living being," from PIE root *gwei- "to live, life" (cf. Greek bios "life," Old English cwicu "living;" see bio-). Slang meaning "crowded and chaotic place" first recorded 1935.
zoo
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: zoo
Few comments today. Everyone go on vacation with Doc?
Zoe also means life in Greek. Now I'm gonna have to go find out the difference in connotation, if any.
Zoe also means life in Greek. Now I'm gonna have to go find out the difference in connotation, if any.
pl
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: zoo
To give credit where credit is due, the etymology given above is from www.etymonline.com.
I like the tie-in with cwic, which is the root of quick, as in alive or pregnant. It goes all the way back to PIE and *gwiwo. Ignore the g and pronounce the ws as vs and you get vivo, which means I live.
Lots of life in this little word.
I like the tie-in with cwic, which is the root of quick, as in alive or pregnant. It goes all the way back to PIE and *gwiwo. Ignore the g and pronounce the ws as vs and you get vivo, which means I live.
Lots of life in this little word.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
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