Naming the expert

Have you ever met a myrmecologist wannabe? You probably have!

Image: Romain Vignes

We all know what a biologist or a historian studies —those are easy. But what about a pomologist or a speleologist? Some areas of expertise have names that sound nothing like what they actually mean. In this article, you'll see the name of a field first —then try to figure out what it really means before reading the answer. Some might be simple, but others will surprise you. Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s begin!

Image: Marina Vitale

Simply looking at the word "oology" reminds one of something circular, doesn’t it? You can’t be blamed for thinking this is the study of eyes. It does remind one of the verb "ogle."

You might also have thought of oolong tea— perhaps oologists are connoisseurs of rare brews? Or maybe they are scientists studying oolite rocks?

A clue: Oologists probably roll their eyes a lot during Easter hunts.

Image: Landon Martin

Did you guess it? Oology is a branch of ornithology —the study of birds— that focuses on eggs! A person who studies or collects eggs inspecting their size, color, and shape, and observing the nesting and breeding behavior of their parents, is an oologist.

The term comes from the Greek oion, meaning egg. So if you thought of oolite before, you weren’t too wrong: Oolite rocks are also called "egg stones" because of their composition, which are spherical grains cemented together. Both words share the common Greek root.

Image: Leon Contreras

Surely, campanology isn’t the study of camping. Or could it be? It can remind one of the word "hippocampus," but that could refer to either the part of the brain or sea horses. Another likely guess: Maybe it is the title for people who study campaigns, like marketers or publicists?

A clue: Don’t you think the word has a familiar ring?

Image: Matt Artz

Campanology is actually the study of bells —how they are made, rung, and tuned. The word comes from the Late Latin campana (bell), and the term has been in use since at least the 18th century.

Now you know: campanologists analyze the acoustics of bells, the techniques of change ringing (a complex system of bell sequences), and the history of bell towers worldwide.

Image: Bob Coyne

Two options jump to mind right away: Hippos and hippies. The cultural movements of the 60s were important enough that some historians might have specialized in their study.

Hippos are important, too: The two remaining classes of hippos are classified as vulnerable and endangered. Surely, looking after their population requires experts. Is that something that hippologists do?

A clue: Hippos are a closer guess than hippies.

Image: Helena Lopes

Horses! Alright, equestrian fanatics probably guessed this one easily. A hippologist is an expert in the veterinary and management of horses. They are responsible for answering all questions horses’ owners might have about anatomy, reproduction, health, dressage, driving, and more.

This word also derives from Greek, where hippos means "horse". That term is at the root of the scientific names for sea horses and hippos, too.

Image: Mae Mu

Is this about pomodoro sauce? Many know that pasta al pomodoro is a dish prepared with fresh tomatoes and olive oil. Fewer people know that pomodoro is simply the Italian word for tomato.

In fact, pomodoro is the result of adding pomo (apple) + d’oro (of gold). No, pomology doesn’t study tomatoes, but that might give you a clue about what it actually does.

A clue: Do you know what pomme means in French?

Image: Jo Sonn

Pomology is actually the study of multiple fruits —not just the "apple of gold" tomato (which, whether you like it or not, is a fruit, according to botanists).

A pomologist works in the branch of botany investigating fruits and their plants of origin, researching to enhance their cultivation and use. The name derives from the Latin pomum, which means "fruit."

Image: Suzy Hazelwood

You are probably thinking that this word couldn’t have anything to do with "spelling," because it would be written with two Ls. And you’d be correct: The role of speleologists is very distant to that of linguists.

But it feels like you’ve read the word before, doesn’t it? Did it have something to do with the outdoors, or with outer space, maybe?

A clue: You would likely need a flashlight to be a speleologist.

Image: Viviana Camacho

In reality, speleology is the scientific study of caves: Their formation, structure, and ecosystems. The word comes from the Greek spēlaion (cave).

Speleologists explore underground tunnels, study stalactites and stalagmites, and even analyze the creatures that live in caves. To be a good speleologist you’d need to know a bit about biology, chemistry, geology, and cartography, to name a few… And to not be claustrophobic!

Image: Leo_65

You wouldn’t be the first person to think about myrrh when reading this word. Nor the first to think about mermaids.

A more down-to-earth guess would be to assume that this has something to do with memories, or the ability to form and retain them. But that is also incorrect.

A clue: Have you ever seen a formicarium?

Image: Prabir Kashyap

The correct answer is ants! Myrmecology is the scientific study of ants because myrmex is the Greek word for the insect.

Myrmecologists study their complex colonies and examine how these tiny creatures communicate and cooperate. A formicarium, which we mentioned, is another name for an "ant farm," often built to observe ant behaviors like engineering and teamwork.

How many areas of expertise did you guess correctly? If none, we hope you learned a few new words!

Lost in translation

English words that don’t mean what you think they mean abroad

We Americans like to think that since we speak English, we can get by just fine anywhere from London to Bridgetown. But traveling abroad can quickly turn into a game of linguistic telephone! Imagine the sheer confusion of a tourist asking for a nice, warm biscuit with breakfast, only to be handed a chocolate chip cookie, or trying to pack their luggage into a boot instead of the trunk. It pays to think twice before you open your mouth overseas, or you might find yourself in some hilariously awkward situations. Here are 12 everyday words that mean something completely different once you leave American soil.

Picture yourself at a quaint London bed-and-breakfast, ordering gravy to go with your morning biscuit. The waiter returns, looking baffled, with a plate of crunchy chocolate chip cookies.

To us, a biscuit is that fluffy, buttery piece of heaven perfect for breakfast. To the British, a biscuit is what we call a cookie. Save the gravy for home, or you'll get some very strange looks!

You arrive at a London hotel, and the polite bellhop asks, "Shall I put your bags in the boot, sir?" You might look down at your leather footwear and wonder how on earth your suitcase is going to fit in there.

Don't worry, your shoes are safe. While Americans call the rear storage compartment of a car the trunk, the British call it the boot.

Imagine your Irish tour guide points to a menu and promises you a "classic banger" for lunch. You might expect the pub to start blasting a high-energy, catchy song right there at the table.

Instead, you'll be served a sizzling, savory sausage. In Ireland and the U.K., bangers are just sausages, famously paired with mashed potatoes for a comforting meal. It's a hit for your stomach, not your ears!

Next time you hear a Scotsman say he is "going for the messages," don't expect him to return with a handful of letters or a phone full of unread texts.

In Scotland, this delightful phrase simply means going grocery shopping. He’s just heading out to grab some milk, bread, and eggs, completely offline.

If an Aussie hotel clerk tells you your reservation is locked in for a fortnight, you might be taken aback. While we rarely use this old-fashioned word in the States, it is completely standard down under and in the U.K. It simply means a period of two weeks. Enjoy your long vacation!

Imagine ordering a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich in Auckland, only to watch the café worker stare at you in absolute horror.

In New Zealand and the U.K., jelly isn't a smooth fruit spread; it’s what we call Jell-O. Putting a wobbly, strawberry gelatin dessert between two slices of bread is definitely an acquired taste you might want to skip.

You’re celebrating a beautiful anniversary at a lovely restaurant in Montreal. Eager for the main event, you order a delicious-sounding steak from the entrée section of the menu, expecting a giant plate.

Unfortunately, you’ll be left scratching your head when a tiny appetizer arrives. In Canada and Europe, the entrée is the starter. The actual main course comes later, so pace yourself!

Imagine a stylish American gentleman telling his British colleagues that he bought a bright red pair of suspenders to wear to the office. The room will likely go dead silent with embarrassment.

To Americans, suspenders are just classy elastic shoulder straps that hold up trousers. In the U.K., however, suspenders are garter belts used to hold up women's stockings. That's one major office mix-up!

If you are relaxing on a beautiful beach in Barbados and a friendly local warns that someone might "give you a lick," please don't expect anyone to come over and run their tongue across your arm!

In the Caribbean, giving someone a lick means to hit or strike them. It’s an aggressive warning, a far cry from the completely innocent, sugary action we think of back home.

Imagine walking through London when an angry cyclist yells, "Get off the pavement!" You might look down, confused, thinking, "But I’m not standing in the middle of the street!"

In the U.S., pavement refers to the asphalt road where cars drive. In the U.K., the pavement is actually the sidewalk. He’s just asking you to clear the pedestrian path, so no need to dodge traffic!

Imagine complimenting a British gentleman at a formal dinner by telling him, "I love your pants!" Instead of a thank you, you'll likely receive a look of absolute horror.

To Americans, pants are simply trousers. But to the British, pants refer strictly to underwear. Telling someone you like their pants means you’re complimenting their briefs, which is a bit too much information for polite conversation!

Picture yourself walking into a London pub and ordering a burger with a side of potato chips. You might be disappointed when the waiter brings out a basket of steaming, thick-cut French fries instead of a crispy bag of Lay's.

In the U.K. and Ireland, chips are fries. If you actually want those thin, crunchy snacks from a bag, you have to ask for "crisps."