Dr Danny Bate
@dannybate.bsky.social
"That etymology guy". Linguist, broadcaster, writer, researcher, language fanatic. 'Why Q Needs U' (https://geni.us/WhyQNeedsU) an Economist book of 2025. Host of ALILI podcast. Website: https://dannybate.com/. Inquiries: [email protected]
With a long train journey now ahead of me, I have time to come to turns with three facts: a) that yesterday I was interviewed in Oxford by Susie Dent, b) that she is a supremely lovely person, and c) that she said some very complimentary things about my book.
February 11, 2026 at 11:24 AM
With a long train journey now ahead of me, I have time to come to turns with three facts: a) that yesterday I was interviewed in Oxford by Susie Dent, b) that she is a supremely lovely person, and c) that she said some very complimentary things about my book.
Budapest was created out of the cities of Buda and Pest (and the oft-forgotten Óbuda). The place-name Pest likely comes from a Slavic word meaning 'oven, furnace' – compare Slovak pec.
I find it strange that one of the cities had the alternative German name Ofen (literally 'oven'), but it was Buda!
I find it strange that one of the cities had the alternative German name Ofen (literally 'oven'), but it was Buda!
February 9, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Budapest was created out of the cities of Buda and Pest (and the oft-forgotten Óbuda). The place-name Pest likely comes from a Slavic word meaning 'oven, furnace' – compare Slovak pec.
I find it strange that one of the cities had the alternative German name Ofen (literally 'oven'), but it was Buda!
I find it strange that one of the cities had the alternative German name Ofen (literally 'oven'), but it was Buda!
SOLD OUT!
is an example of an English phrasal verb written in capital letters, both of which are concepts that could well crop up in an upcoming public conversation between me and Susie Dent, for which a few tickets are still available.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/danny-bate...
is an example of an English phrasal verb written in capital letters, both of which are concepts that could well crop up in an upcoming public conversation between me and Susie Dent, for which a few tickets are still available.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/danny-bate...
February 8, 2026 at 4:32 PM
SOLD OUT!
is an example of an English phrasal verb written in capital letters, both of which are concepts that could well crop up in an upcoming public conversation between me and Susie Dent, for which a few tickets are still available.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/danny-bate...
is an example of an English phrasal verb written in capital letters, both of which are concepts that could well crop up in an upcoming public conversation between me and Susie Dent, for which a few tickets are still available.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/danny-bate...
A first for me today: godfather at a ship baptism (baptising a child of a member of a ship's crew with the ship's bell).
February 7, 2026 at 3:05 PM
A first for me today: godfather at a ship baptism (baptising a child of a member of a ship's crew with the ship's bell).
My review of the new book 'Runes: A Concise History' is out in the latest edition of the @historytoday.com magazine!
The review in brief: runes are great, so is this book, and it does a good job separating runic fact from runic fiction.
The review in brief: runes are great, so is this book, and it does a good job separating runic fact from runic fiction.
February 3, 2026 at 3:59 PM
My review of the new book 'Runes: A Concise History' is out in the latest edition of the @historytoday.com magazine!
The review in brief: runes are great, so is this book, and it does a good job separating runic fact from runic fiction.
The review in brief: runes are great, so is this book, and it does a good job separating runic fact from runic fiction.
Dia daoibh, language lovers! In time for St Brigid's Day, there's a new episode of ALILI, all about Modern Irish!
The language was the choice of Liam Ó Duibhiolla, an enthusiastic, eloquent expert and the founder of the 'Learn Irish Online' platform. Listen to it here:
pod.link/1703401848/e...
The language was the choice of Liam Ó Duibhiolla, an enthusiastic, eloquent expert and the founder of the 'Learn Irish Online' platform. Listen to it here:
pod.link/1703401848/e...
February 1, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Dia daoibh, language lovers! In time for St Brigid's Day, there's a new episode of ALILI, all about Modern Irish!
The language was the choice of Liam Ó Duibhiolla, an enthusiastic, eloquent expert and the founder of the 'Learn Irish Online' platform. Listen to it here:
pod.link/1703401848/e...
The language was the choice of Liam Ó Duibhiolla, an enthusiastic, eloquent expert and the founder of the 'Learn Irish Online' platform. Listen to it here:
pod.link/1703401848/e...
This free talk about public linguistics and books is still on for tomorrow (sign up at the link), although @yvanspijk.bsky.social has had to drop out on account of being too successful.
But fear not: Daniel Hieber of @linguisticdiscovery.com fame has gallantly stepped up to be the fourth speaker!
But fear not: Daniel Hieber of @linguisticdiscovery.com fame has gallantly stepped up to be the fourth speaker!
January 26, 2026 at 4:57 PM
This free talk about public linguistics and books is still on for tomorrow (sign up at the link), although @yvanspijk.bsky.social has had to drop out on account of being too successful.
But fear not: Daniel Hieber of @linguisticdiscovery.com fame has gallantly stepped up to be the fourth speaker!
But fear not: Daniel Hieber of @linguisticdiscovery.com fame has gallantly stepped up to be the fourth speaker!
In addition to the standard word Uhu, German names for the Eurasian eagle-owl have included Schuhu, Huhu and Buhu, and I'll be damned if there are better owl names out there.
January 24, 2026 at 10:10 AM
In addition to the standard word Uhu, German names for the Eurasian eagle-owl have included Schuhu, Huhu and Buhu, and I'll be damned if there are better owl names out there.
Mē and mec are variants of accusative 'me' in Old English.
Mē is typical of Wessex texts, and mec of Mercian ones (with a final consonant that's still there in German mich).
Yet the Alfred Jewel text ('Alfred ordered me made') uses "mec" – evidence perhaps of Mercians working for the Wessex king.
Mē is typical of Wessex texts, and mec of Mercian ones (with a final consonant that's still there in German mich).
Yet the Alfred Jewel text ('Alfred ordered me made') uses "mec" – evidence perhaps of Mercians working for the Wessex king.
January 20, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Mē and mec are variants of accusative 'me' in Old English.
Mē is typical of Wessex texts, and mec of Mercian ones (with a final consonant that's still there in German mich).
Yet the Alfred Jewel text ('Alfred ordered me made') uses "mec" – evidence perhaps of Mercians working for the Wessex king.
Mē is typical of Wessex texts, and mec of Mercian ones (with a final consonant that's still there in German mich).
Yet the Alfred Jewel text ('Alfred ordered me made') uses "mec" – evidence perhaps of Mercians working for the Wessex king.
Readers of Why Q Needs U will know that in the book, as in life, Silver had the final word.
January 19, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Readers of Why Q Needs U will know that in the book, as in life, Silver had the final word.
Always worth trying your luck with church doors, even in January – some, like those of St George's on the almost-island of Reichenau, open onto a 10th-century series of murals in a building that dates to the 9th century.
Now I can add my own photos to an old article.
dannybate.com/2023/10/17/t...
Now I can add my own photos to an old article.
dannybate.com/2023/10/17/t...
January 16, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Always worth trying your luck with church doors, even in January – some, like those of St George's on the almost-island of Reichenau, open onto a 10th-century series of murals in a building that dates to the 9th century.
Now I can add my own photos to an old article.
dannybate.com/2023/10/17/t...
Now I can add my own photos to an old article.
dannybate.com/2023/10/17/t...
Just arrived in Konstanz for a couple of nights. Nothing bad ever happens to people who travel from Bohemia to Konstanz, right? I was assured safe passage by my host.
January 14, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Just arrived in Konstanz for a couple of nights. Nothing bad ever happens to people who travel from Bohemia to Konstanz, right? I was assured safe passage by my host.
If you like books about linguistics and languages (perhaps you'd like to write your own?), here's a free talk for you!
On the 27/1, I'll be putting questions to four fabulous authors over Zoom, getting their experience of writing linguistically for the public. Link:
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
On the 27/1, I'll be putting questions to four fabulous authors over Zoom, getting their experience of writing linguistically for the public. Link:
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 12, 2026 at 3:31 PM
If you like books about linguistics and languages (perhaps you'd like to write your own?), here's a free talk for you!
On the 27/1, I'll be putting questions to four fabulous authors over Zoom, getting their experience of writing linguistically for the public. Link:
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
On the 27/1, I'll be putting questions to four fabulous authors over Zoom, getting their experience of writing linguistically for the public. Link:
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
In a curious connection between the Bonaparte dynasty and western Cornwall, Louis Lucien had this monument set up in the little Cornish village of Paul, commemorating Dorothy Pentreath, possibly (but probably not) the last native speaker of Cornish prior to its modern revival.
January 4, 2026 at 6:55 PM
In a curious connection between the Bonaparte dynasty and western Cornwall, Louis Lucien had this monument set up in the little Cornish village of Paul, commemorating Dorothy Pentreath, possibly (but probably not) the last native speaker of Cornish prior to its modern revival.
I snuck one final episode of ALILI into 2025, and it's un episodio molto bello!
Sophia Smith Galer (@sophiasgaler.bsky.social) joins me to discuss Italian – not only her interest and affection for it, but also what it's done to Italy's linguistic landscape.
Available here:
pod.link/1703401848/e...
Sophia Smith Galer (@sophiasgaler.bsky.social) joins me to discuss Italian – not only her interest and affection for it, but also what it's done to Italy's linguistic landscape.
Available here:
pod.link/1703401848/e...
January 2, 2026 at 10:51 AM
I snuck one final episode of ALILI into 2025, and it's un episodio molto bello!
Sophia Smith Galer (@sophiasgaler.bsky.social) joins me to discuss Italian – not only her interest and affection for it, but also what it's done to Italy's linguistic landscape.
Available here:
pod.link/1703401848/e...
Sophia Smith Galer (@sophiasgaler.bsky.social) joins me to discuss Italian – not only her interest and affection for it, but also what it's done to Italy's linguistic landscape.
Available here:
pod.link/1703401848/e...
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.
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.
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 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
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
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!
If I've understood the rules right...
Example: Being greeted in church with "seläm"
Picture:
Example: Being greeted in church with "seläm"
Picture:
December 14, 2025 at 12:09 PM
If I've understood the rules right...
Example: Being greeted in church with "seläm"
Picture:
Example: Being greeted in church with "seläm"
Picture:
All my life I've been told that I speak with a 'BBC accent', so I guess today my accent came home.
December 8, 2025 at 2:50 PM
All my life I've been told that I speak with a 'BBC accent', so I guess today my accent came home.
It's a great word fact that English 'lord' comes from a compound meaning 'bread guard', which fused into one word: Old English hlāford.
There's evidence from Norway that the concept was an old one, as the Tune runestone (c. 400 AD) mentions the role of "witadahalaiban" – 'the one watching bread'.
There's evidence from Norway that the concept was an old one, as the Tune runestone (c. 400 AD) mentions the role of "witadahalaiban" – 'the one watching bread'.
December 4, 2025 at 7:48 PM
It's a great word fact that English 'lord' comes from a compound meaning 'bread guard', which fused into one word: Old English hlāford.
There's evidence from Norway that the concept was an old one, as the Tune runestone (c. 400 AD) mentions the role of "witadahalaiban" – 'the one watching bread'.
There's evidence from Norway that the concept was an old one, as the Tune runestone (c. 400 AD) mentions the role of "witadahalaiban" – 'the one watching bread'.
A couple of the examples of "dōm" are translating Latin words with Latin's own cognate -m ending, like "faciam" ('I may do') in this section of the Lindisfarne Gospels and their Old English glosses:
November 30, 2025 at 10:10 PM
A couple of the examples of "dōm" are translating Latin words with Latin's own cognate -m ending, like "faciam" ('I may do') in this section of the Lindisfarne Gospels and their Old English glosses:
Cheapside in rainy London today – originally, nothing to do with being inexpensive. The name derives instead from the older meaning of 'cheap', being a street for markets and trade (in Old English: ċēap).
This makes it related to various European words for buying, like Dutch kopen and Czech koupit.
This makes it related to various European words for buying, like Dutch kopen and Czech koupit.
November 29, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Cheapside in rainy London today – originally, nothing to do with being inexpensive. The name derives instead from the older meaning of 'cheap', being a street for markets and trade (in Old English: ċēap).
This makes it related to various European words for buying, like Dutch kopen and Czech koupit.
This makes it related to various European words for buying, like Dutch kopen and Czech koupit.