{"id":4499,"date":"2026-06-27T17:33:50","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T17:33:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/?p=4499"},"modified":"2026-06-27T19:33:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T19:33:43","slug":"adventures-in-etymology-balletic-symbols","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/?p=4499","title":{"rendered":"Adventures in Etymology &#8211; Balletic Symbols"},"content":{"rendered":"<div itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/AudioObject\"><meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Adventures in Etymology &amp;#8211; Balletic Symbols\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2026-06-27T17:33:50+00:00\" \/><meta itemprop=\"encodingFormat\" content=\"audio\/mpeg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT3M05S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what links the words symbol, ballet and problem.\n\n\n\nA symbol [\u02c8s\u026amb\u0259l] is a character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object; a thing considered the embodiment or cardinal exemplar of a concept, th...\" \/><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3\" \/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"3.2\" \/><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_1156\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-4499-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3\">https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/?powerpress_pinw=4499-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"balleticsymbols.mp3\">Download<\/a><\/p><p>In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what links the words <strong>symbol<\/strong>, <strong>ballet<\/strong> and <strong>problem<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/omniglot\/49424080843\/in\/album-72157712782953231\" title=\"Punctuation\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/49424080843_abb6d49cfa_z.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" alt=\"Punctuation\"\/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>A <strong>symbol<\/strong> [\u02c8s\u026amb\u0259l] is a character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object; a thing considered the embodiment or cardinal exemplar of a concept, theme, etc &#8211; other meanings are available.<\/p>\n<p>It comes from French <em>symbole<\/em> (symbol), from Latin <em>symbolus<\/em> (sign, mark, token, symbol), from Ancient Greek <em>\u03c3\u03cd\u03bc\u03b2\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd<\/em> (s\u00fambolon -a sign, mark, token, badge), from <em>\u03c3\u03c5\u03bc\u03b2\u03ac\u03bb\u03bb\u03c9<\/em> (sumb\u00e1ll\u014d &#8211; to throw together, compare), from <em>\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd<\/em> (s\u00fan &#8211; with, together) and <em>\u03b2\u03ac\u03bb\u03bb\u03c9<\/em> (b\u00e1ll\u014d &#8211; to throw, put) [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/symbol#English\">source<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>The origins of <em>\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd<\/em> (s\u00fan) are uncertain [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/%CF%83%CF%8D%CE%BD#Ancient_Greek\">source<\/a>], but <em>\u03b2\u03ac\u03bb\u03bb\u03c9<\/em> (b\u00e1ll\u014d) comes ultimately from PIE <em>*g\u02b7elH-<\/em> (to throw, reach, pierce) [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/%CE%B2%CE%AC%CE%BB%CE%BB%CF%89#Ancient_Greek\">source<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Other words derived from the Latin <em>symbolus<\/em> include <strong>symbool<\/strong> (symbol, sign, character, glyph) in Dutch, <strong>simbolo<\/strong> (symbol, sigh, emblem, icon) in Italian, <strong>s\u00edmbolo<\/strong> (symbol, creed) in Spanish, and <strong>Symbol<\/strong> (symbol, icon) in German [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/delaier#Old_French\">source<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Words from the Ancient Greek root <em>\u03b2\u03ac\u03bb\u03bb\u03c9<\/em> (b\u00e1ll\u014d), via Latin <em>ball\u014d<\/em> (to dance), include  <strong>bailar<\/strong> (to dance) in Portuguese,  <strong>ballare<\/strong> (to dance, fidget, wobble) in Italian, <strong>baller<\/strong> (to dance with one&#8217;s arms swinging, to swing, sway, dangle) in French, and <strong>ballet<\/strong>, <strong>ballad<\/strong> and <strong>ballista<\/strong> in English [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/ballo#Latin\">source<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Other words from the PIE foot <em>*g\u02b7elH-<\/em> (to throw, etc) possibly include <strong>qu\u00e4len<\/strong> (to torture, torment, agonize) in German, <strong>\u0436\u0438\u043b\u043e<\/strong> (sting, stinger) in Bulgarian, and <strong>emblem<\/strong>, <strong>problem<\/strong>, <strong>qualm<\/strong>, <strong>to quell<\/strong> and <strong>obelisk<\/strong> in English [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European\/g%CA%B7elH-\">source<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>The English word <strong>devil<\/strong> also comes from the same roots, via Middle English <em>devel<\/em> (Satan, Lucifer, devil), Old English <em>d\u0113ofol<\/em> (Satan, devil, demon), Proto-West Germanic <em>*diubul<\/em> (devil), Latin <em>diabolus<\/em>, and Ancient Greek <em>\u03b4\u03b9\u03ac\u03b2\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2<\/em> (di\u00e1bolos &#8211; false accuser, slanderer), which comes from <em>\u03b4\u03b9\u03ac<\/em> (di\u00e1 &#8211; through, across) and <em>\u03b2\u03ac\u03bb\u03bb\u03c9<\/em> (b\u00e1ll\u014d &#8211; throw) [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/devil#English\">source<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Incidentally, the word <strong>Satan<\/strong> comes ultimately from Hebrew <em>\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05d8\u05b8\u05df<\/em> (sat\u00e1n &#8211; adversary, accuser) [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/Satan#English\">source<\/a>], while <strong>Lucifer<\/strong> comes from Latin <em>L\u016bcifer<\/em> (morning star, the planet Venus, Lucifier), from <em>l\u016bx<\/em> (light) and <em>-fer\u014d<\/em> (to bear, carry) [<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/Lucifer#English\">source<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>If you would like to support this podcast, you can make a donation via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/uk\/cgi-bin\/webscr?cmd=_flow&amp;SESSION=aLjPfXL-vP_1gQ_U23Iz8_hSWLlhzLHPMFZrt32dIEfG8htoNFLYaPoWkv8&amp;dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8def8934b92a630e40b7fef61ab7e9fe63\">PayPal<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/omniglot\">Patreon<\/a>, or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/donations.htm\">contribute to Omniglot in other ways<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Radio Omniglot podcasts are brought to you in association with <a href=\"https:\/\/blubrry.com\/services\/podcast-hosting\/?code=omniglot\">Blubrry Podcast Hosting<\/a>, a great place to host your podcasts. Get your first month free with the promo code <strong>omniglot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.japanesepod101.com\/member\/go.php?r=759259&amp;i=b0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/images\/banners\/banner_japanesepod.jpg\" alt=\"The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com\" width=\"630\" height=\"83\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I also write about words, etymology and other language-related topics on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/\">Omniglot Blog<\/a>, and I explore etymological connections between Celtic languages on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/celtiadur\/\">Celtiadur<\/a> blog.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-5001128073855040\"\n   crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Blog horizontal --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n   style=\"display:block\"\n   data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5001128073855040\"\n   data-ad-slot=\"1685480124\"\n   data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n   data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/AudioObject\"><meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Adventures in Etymology &amp;#8211; Balletic Symbols\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2026-06-27T17:33:50+00:00\" \/><meta itemprop=\"encodingFormat\" content=\"audio\/mpeg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT3M05S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what links the words symbol, ballet and problem.\n\n\n\nA symbol [\u02c8s\u026amb\u0259l] is a character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object; a thing considered the embodiment or cardinal exemplar of a concept, th...\" \/><meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3\" \/><meta itemprop=\"contentSize\" content=\"3.2\" \/><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_1157\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-4499-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3\">https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/?powerpress_pinw=4499-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/radio_omniglot\/www.omniglot.com\/soundfiles\/etymology\/balleticsymbols.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"balleticsymbols.mp3\">Download<\/a><\/p><p>In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what links the words symbol, ballet and problem. A symbol [\u02c8s\u026amb\u0259l] is a character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object; a thing considered the embodiment or cardinal exemplar of a concept, theme, etc &#8211; other meanings are available. It comes from French symbole (symbol), from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,97,121,47,20,23,24,43,12,4,50,58,11,55,1,27,59,119,28],"tags":[453,452,456,455,454,90,9,167,15,88,8,451,103],"class_list":["post-4499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventures-in-etymology","category-ancient-greek-","category-bulgarian-","category-dutch","category-english","category-french","category-german","category-hebrew","category-italian","category-language","category-latin","category-middle-english","category-music","category-old-english-aenglisc","category-podcast","category-portuguese","category-proto-indo-european","category-proto-west-germanic","category-spanish","tag-ballad","tag-ballet","tag-ballista","tag-devil","tag-emblem","tag-etymology","tag-language","tag-linguistics","tag-music","tag-omniglot","tag-podcast","tag-symbol","tag-words"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4499","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4499"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4499\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4502,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4499\/revisions\/4502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/radio\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}