Useful Tips

You might experience horripilation while watching a horror movie, because the shared root words give a hint to the meaning of the sensation. “Horripilation” is an old-fashioned term for when the fine hair on the skin is raised when experiencing cold, fear, or excitement — also known as goosebumps. In Latin, “horrere” means “stand on end” and “pilus” means “hair,” so it’s a fairly literal translation. “Horror” comes from another variation of the Latin “horrere,” meaning “to tremble or shudder.”

Swifties, pay attention to this word. “Celerity,” meaning “swiftness of movement,” traces back to the Latin word “celer,” meaning “swift.” “Taylor Celer” doesn’t have the same ring as “Taylor Swift,” but the pop star’s fast rise to fame in her teens and 20s echoes the roots of the word. And while “celer” does bear resemblance to “celebrity,” that word’s Latin root is “celeber,” meaning “frequented or honored.” “Celerity” came into English in the 15th century from the Old French “celerite,” which traces back to the Latin root.

Even inexperienced cooks are likely familiar with the term “dice” — a fine chop for food — but “brunoise” is the French culinary term for a small cube. This style of knife cut is often used for harder vegetables, such as celery, onions, carrots, and potatoes, which are then cooked in butter and used in soups, sauces, and stews.