20 Words From Greek Mythology You Use All The Time

Some Words Have Their Own Story To Tell

The Lament For Icarus, Herbert Draper, Public Domain — A story teaching us not to fly ‘too close to the sun’.

Since before the time of mythical monsters, cruel gods and fated heroes, we have been using words to help give shape and meaning to the world around us.

Even now, we use the written and spoken word to express our thoughts, feelings, desires and ambitions.

Here are 20 words from Greek mythology that reach far back into history and bring with them stories to remember.

1. Europe

The very continent that holds Greece within its borders is named after Europa, a Phoenician princess who fell victim to one of Zeus’ many, horrid affections.

In the myth, he transformed into a white bull in order to get close to Europa, before abducting her on his back to the island of Crete.

Cadmus, one of Europa’s brothers, was tasked to find his sister and could not return home without her. Although, to do so would mean facing the wrath of the God of Gods.

The ancient Greeks linked the Taurus star constellation to this story.

Antonio Tempesta, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons