510
rule (traditional) (lemmy.blahaj.zone)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Zron@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

But a bunch of other elements don’t follow that pattern, why don’t they say “ironium”?

[-] shikitohno@lemm.ee 3 points 6 months ago

Because words have different etymological roots and different endings can convey different grammatical or linguistic information in many languages? This is just a misguided train of thought comparing the endings of iron and helium and expecting them to be the same. The examples I cited either have Latin roots, or were deliberately latinized words, while Iron comes from an Old English root. Ferrum, the Latin for iron, comes closer to the broader pattern. It's like saying, "I have a calculator that calculates, a ventilator that ventilates, so why is it a phone and not a callator." or something.

this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2024
510 points (100.0% liked)

196

16439 readers
1515 users here now

Be sure to follow the rule before you head out.

Rule: You must post before you leave.

^other^ ^rules^

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS