
Improving vocabulary: Autumn or Fall ?
IMPROVING VOCABULARY
Autumn/fall vocabulary
Fall is an old term for the season, originating in English in the 16th century or earlier. It was originally short for fall of the year or fall of the leaf, but it commonly took the one-word form by the 17th century, long before the development of American English.
Autumn came to English from the French word ‘’Automne’’ in the 15th or 16th century, but it didn’t gain popularity or wide usage until the 18th century. After that, while Fall became the preferred term in the U.S., Autumn became so dominant in British English that Fall as a term for the season was eventually considered archaic.
The reason why Americans use Fall and British use Autumn is that around the same time the English went over to North America, the most popular word to describe the third season had changed from Autumn to Fall.
Whatever word you use Autumn or Fall there are plenty of words we can use to expand our vocabulary and practice them the more we can. Because each month of this wonderful season has great importance we can use a variety of words or phrases to talk about the most important events in each month.
Let’s have a look and see what each month surprises us with.
SEPTEMBER
European Day of Languages
Celebrated on 26 September, the European Day of Languages (EDL) is a means of promoting awareness among the general public of the importance of language learning and protecting linguistic heritage. On the occasion of the day, a range of events is organized across Europe, including those for children, television and radio programs, language classes, and conferences.
Unique words
Albanian
vetullhen: an eyebrow arched like the crescent moon
Bosnian
gunj: a vest worn by the shepherds during winter, made from sheepskin
Croatian
pivopija: someone who likes to drink beer, literally "beer drinker"
Czech
prozvonit: to call someone's mobile from your own without the other person picking up with the intention of leaving your number in their phone's memory
Danish
hyggelig: its “literal” translation into English gives connotations of a warm, friendly, cozy demeanor
Dutch
regelneef: a person who loves organizing even without being asked to
English
higgledy-piggledy: disordered, jumbled, not neat and tidy. According to Oxford Dictionary, probably used initially with reference to the disordered herding together of pigs
Estonian
koerailm: cat-and-dog weather; really bad weather
Finnish
hiukaista: to feel hungry for something salty
French
chabrot: to put red wine in your soup, when there is little soup left
Georgian
genatsvale: I appreciate you very much
German
Zechpreller: someone who leaves without paying the bill
Greek
meraki: doing something with soul, creativity, or love: putting something of yourself into what you're doing
Hungarian
csókolgat: to shower with kisses
Icelandic
eldhus-fifi (Old Icelandic): an idiot who sits all day by the fire
Irish
plubairnigh: a verb specifically used to describe that distinctive thick, bubbling sound that porridge makes when it is boiling. "Bhí an leite ag plubairnigh sa phota" ("The porridge was 'plubairnigh-ing' in the pot").
Italian
mammismo: maternal control and interference that continues into adulthood
Latvian
vientuliba: loneliness, solitude
Lithuanian
davatka: a person who is too pious and likes to gossip
Norwegian
kram snø: snow which is sticky (excellent for making snow-balls and snowmen)
Portuguese
hico-esperto: used to describe someone who is smart enough to take advantage of situations even if damaging someone else's interests
Romanian
dor: a feeling of melancholy as a result of the desire to see someone or something you love
Russian
teplushka: heated goods van used for carrying people
zalipat': stand in gaze
Serbian
inat: spite, defiance; when you do or don't do something (often to your detriment) just to prove someone else wrong
Slovak
prezvoniť: to call someone's mobile from your own without the other person picking up with the intention of leaving your number in their phone's memory
Slovenian
Zlovešč: someone who predicts harm/evil
Spanish
chupotero: a person who works little but has several salaries
malaje: saying about a person: disagreeable, that has bad (wrong) shade
Swedish
lappsjuka: a melancholy through being so isolated
fika: coffee break or an overall word for buns and other snacks that you eat on coffee-breaks
OCTOBER
Haloween
The history of Halloween dates back to a pagan festival called Samhain. Hundreds of years ago, people dressed up as saints and went door-to-door, which is the origin of Halloween costumes and trick-or-treating.
List of Halloween Words for Kids
Costumes Monster Disguise pirate broomstick Haunted House Trick or Treat Spider web crow cat October Jack-O'-Lantern Scarecrow vampire
NOVEMBER
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists.
Thanksgiving Related Words and Phrases
Appreciation baking banquet get together
Cards celebrate family travel
Cooking festival gathering Gratitude
harvest overeating Autumn candles
fall wreath Native Americans
leaves pumpkin scarecrows turkey
corn floral arrangements