Iota

Iota

Author: Emmanuela Lia March 22, 2026 Duration: 1:37

Taking a break from welcoming cities today because I’d like to remind you to leave us a review on the platform of your choice. It means a lot more than you think, it helps other people find us. If you also like to email me with comments or questions about anything you’ve heard in this podcast feel free to do so at yourgreeksunday@gmail.com On with our episode! 

(Piano music) Hello, and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go!

The Phoenician word for 'hand' (wrist to fingers) was ‘yodh’ and they wrote it by drawing a small vertical  line . Ancient Greeks took that and incorporated it in the Alphabet as the 9th and smallest letter called Ιωτα (yiota) and pronounced like the I in ‘fit’. When the bible came round, the phrase ‘not one iota’ and similarly the word 'Jot' to describe an extremely small amount of something, became very popular . The phrase ‘jotting down‘ to indicate you take quick notes or sketching came much later in the 1700s in a dictionary written by Scottish Philologist John Jamieson, and for quite some time, the phrase was linked exclusive to Scottish writers. It’s worth mentioning that neither phrase is used in modern Greek; but the letter is . ΙΩΤΑ/IOTA


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Each week, Emmanuela Lia offers a quiet, thoughtful moment with Your Greek Word On A Sunday. This award-nominated podcast explores the fascinating journey of language, focusing on a single Greek word that has found a home in everyday English. It’s a bite-sized piece of history and connection, released every Sunday. You’ll hear more than just a definition; each episode traces the word’s path from ancient roots to modern usage, revealing how ideas and culture travel and transform across centuries and continents. Emmanuela unpacks the stories embedded within these travelling words, showing how they silently shape our thinking and link us to a distant past. Listening to this podcast feels like uncovering a hidden layer of meaning in the language we use without a second thought. It’s for anyone curious about where words come from, how history echoes in our speech, and the subtle threads that connect different worlds. The gentle, weekly rhythm and focused format make it a perfect companion for a reflective morning or a calm evening, turning a simple etymological exploration into a consistent ritual of discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 335

Your Greek Word On A Sunday
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