The Wordhord
In Old English, a wordhord was a hoard of words — a store of language kept close, ready to be drawn on when it mattered most. To unlock the wordhord was to begin to speak with purpose and skill.
One of the earliest and most evocative uses comes from Beowulf, just as the hero prepares to speak for the first time:
Him se yldesta andswarode, The eldest of them answered,
werodes wīsa, wordhord onlēac: the leader of the warriors, unlocked his wordhoard:
“Wē synt gumcynnes Gēata lēode “We are men of the Geatish people,
and Hīgeles heoras; Beowulf is mīn nama…” Hygelac’s hearth-companions; my name is Beowulf…”
To open one’s wordhord is not simply to speak — it is to draw on knowledge, memory, and meaning, and shape them into something that can be shared.
This section gathers reflections on the structure, history, and meaning of English words. You’ll find etymology cards, seasonal explorations, and word-family notes that trace how language grows — not at random, but through stories, roots, and sound.
Each entry examines how a word was built, where it came from, and how its meaning has shifted through time, translation, and use. It’s a place for wordcraft grounded in history — practical, curious, and shaped by the belief that language is not just learnt, but forged.
Shine: the long story of brightness and becoming light
A short exploration of the word ‘shine’, from Old English ‘scinan’ to the Hebrew forms behind Isaiah’s ‘arise, shine’. This study traces how English, Hebrew and European translations express radiance, brightness and becoming light.
Thanks: a word shaped by thought and grace
Explores the deep history of ‘thanks’, from Germanic thought to Greek grace, anchored in Luke 2:36 to 38.
Light: a word that opens the eyes
A short exploration of the word ‘light’ from Old English ‘leoht’ to the Greek φῶς (phōs) of Luke 2:32. This piece traces how languages across Europe speak of brightness, clarity, and revelation, and how these ideas have shaped English over time.
Praise: words that shine with worth
A short exploration of the word ‘praise’, from Latin worth to Greek celebration and Hebrew shining joy, grounded in Luke 2:20.
Peace: where binding becomes wholeness
A short exploration of the word ‘peace’, from Latin pax and Greek eirēnē to Hebrew shalom, tracing how English came to hold meanings of harmony, safety, and wholeness.
Glory: a word shaped by light and voice
A short exploration of the word ‘glory’, tracing its path from Latin ‘glōria’ and Old English ‘wuldor’ to the brightness and honour found in Luke’s nativity. Featuring a beach morning glory from La Trinité-sur-Mer.
Righteousness that Stands Straight
A short look at the word ‘righteous’, its Old English and Hebrew roots, and how Scripture uses the idea of the straight and upright way. Written with an orthodox evangelical understanding of God’s justice and Christ’s fulfilment.
Wonderful Counsellor
The phrase ‘wonderful counsellor’ in Isaiah 9 points to the Messiah whose wisdom rises above ordinary human insight. This word card explores the Hebrew ‘pele yo‘etz’, the English forms, and the major European translations that shaped how the title entered English.