GUESS THE MODERN ENGLISH WORD

OE/Germanic: rīmcræft (“calculation”)
ME/French: countour (counter, calculator)
a) Computer
b) Counter

• Computer

• Counter

Answer explanation

In Early Modern English, computer referred to a person who calculated. By the 20th century, it shifted to the machine we use today.

OE/Germanic: bōc (“book”)
ME/French: chronicle (record, history)

• Booklet

• Blog

Answer explanation

A blog (short for “weblog”) is the digital continuation of written chronicles or journals, now posted online.

OE/Germanic: ærende (“message, errand”)
ME/French: message
a) Email
b) Letter

• Email

• Letter

Answer explanation

From “errand/message,” the concept evolved into letters, and in the modern era → electronic mail (email).

OE/Germanic: self
ME/French: selven
a) Selfie
b) Selfhood

• Selfie

• Selfhood

Answer explanation

From the concept of “self,” the modern word selfie refers to a self-taken photo, popularized by smartphones and social media.

OE/Germanic: leoht (“light”)
ME/French: lumine (illumination)

• Photograph

• Lamp

Answer explanation

The word photograph means “drawing with light,” showing how the Old English root leoht (light) was central to its meaning.

OE/Germanic: sprecan (“to speak”)
ME/French: messager (messenger)

• Telephone

• Telegram

Answer explanation

From “speaking” and “messenger,” the telephone became the device that carries spoken messages over long distances.

OE/Germanic: wordhord (“hoard of words”)
ME/French: dictionarie

• Dictionarry

• Dictionary

Answer explanation

A dictionary is literally a “hoard of words,” tracing back to Old English. Wikipedia is modern, but the dictionary is the true descendant.

OE/Germanic: sċip (“ship”)
ME/French: navie

• Ship

• Relationship

Answer explanation

The suffix “-ship” in Modern English evolved from the OE sċip meaning state/condition. Today, it’s used in relationship, friendship, partnership.

OE/Germanic: cniht (“boy, servant”)
ME/French: esquire

• Knight

• Noble

Answer explanation

The OE cniht became knight, originally meaning servant, but in Middle English it shifted to a mounted warrior (noble).

OE/Germanic: lufu
ME/French: amour

• Like

• Love

Answer explanation

Love has deep Germanic roots (lufu). Today, it’s also a common social media “reaction.”