Thursday, April 16, 2015

A-to-Z Challenge: N

Number! Because number. Running out of things to say here. Lasted longer than last year, though.



Number showed up in the early fourteenth century, from the Old French nombre and the classical Latin numerous, both of which are just number. What really amused me is that numerus comes from the Proto Indo European root nem, which means distribute or allot. Makes sense, of course, but nem is also the origin for the word for nemesis because “distribution” refers to distributing what is due, i.e. vengeance.

It couldn’t be more perfect, because who hasn’t felt that at some time, numbers are all out to get you? Especially math. If there’s anything truly evil, it’s definitely math.

Sources

11 comments:

  1. I always liked number - until university and then our lecturer for maths was definitely an evil mastermind - I used to understand it before he opened his mouth.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

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  2. Nemisis and number, I would have never thought the two were linked, but it makes sense. I actually liked math, but I think it was because I had awesome math teachers, and that totally makes a difference. I also like the phrase "distributing vengeance." .... *insert evil laugh* ;)

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  3. Math isn't evil; it just doesn't care. That's what makes it scary.

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  4. I never would've though nemesis and number had anything to do with each other. Really fascinating.

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  5. I can't do maths because numbers are my nemesis. Totally makes sense now. :)

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  6. I always really like math in all its forms. And those words problems were especially fun. Math is our friend.

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  7. Math is very evil- particularly algebra.

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  8. Good for you for lasting longer this year than last year :) LOL with math being evil; it can be sometimes for sure!!

    betty

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  9. That is neat. Maths was definitely my nemesis at school, especially double maths. Two hours of equations - yuck!

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