When it comes to the Olympics, there are some words we all know — namely gold, silver, and bronze. But the vocabulary of the Olympics goes far beyond the winning medals.
For example: Can you define the word “fletching”? Do you know what the branches are called in the ancient Olympians’ crowns? And for that matter, did you even know what dressage was before Anne Romney’s horse began competing in it?
Paul JJ Payack is the president of The Global Language Monitor walks us through some of the language and terminology that visits the world every four years.
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The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
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Comments [4]
"DressAGE" is the proper French pronunciation of a French word. Sometimes English people and Anglophiles say "DRESSage" to annoy the French. My favorite obscure expression related to the Olympics (and to dressage) is "flying changes." It's the movement that looks as if the horse is skipping.
Good lord, I thought Celeste said,"Felching!" I guess I have read different books than Celeste
hello
At least I knew "fletching." And they said those hours devoted to playing Dungeons & Dragons during my youth were a waste...
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