Etymology: The Card Game

About the Game

Where the Game Master reads a Greek or Latin root, and players must explain its meaning and give example words derived from it. Challenge your friends, learn together, and have a blast with this educational and entertaining game!

Key Features

• Educational & Fun: Combines learning with entertainment, broadening vocabulary for students, teachers, and language enthusiasts.
• Interactive Gameplay: Features 300 cards covering Latin roots, Greek roots, prefixes, suffixes, and loanwords. Guess origin languages and definitions guided by a Game Master.
• Easy to Pick Up, Hard to Master: Accessible to everyone because we all know derived English words, yet rewarding for those wanting deeper linguistic study.
• Global Connections: Highlights cultural influences across languages—did you know words like hurricane and barbecue came to us via Spanish from the Taíno people?

How to Play

Standard Gameplay:

• On a player's turn they request a card category: Latin, Greek, or Loanword.
• The Game Master reads the root, prefix, suffix, or loanword.
• Players earn points by explaining meanings and providing related English words or background information. Or in the case of a Loanword by naming its origin and giving background information.

Group Play & Family Game Night: Perfect for families and groups! Try group-guessing where everyone collaborates to figure out tricky roots like tele-, or split into competing teams.

My Story

Hi, I'm David Thomson (46), based in Scotland (UK). I've been battling glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer, for just over 4 years now, despite a prognosis of 12-18 months.

Creating this etymology card game and writing books has been my way of staying positive and productive. It's my "Ikiru" moment, inspired by the Japanese film about finding purpose and joy in life despite its challenges.