Hi, I’m Marc Franco,
and this is Word of the Week with Snap Language.
under- [record scratch]
What?
You already know this word, right?
But... do you, really?
Let’s look at it really closely... as a root word.
We see root words from Greek or Latin all the time, but
English has its own root words, too!
Under- is one of them.
Maybe English root words are not as fascinating as Greek or Latin ones
because these root words are nonnative to English but,
hey, let’s not discriminate.
Germanic word roots can be really interesting, too.
Have you ever thought about
different meanings of “under?”
“I took something under advisement.”
“I undertook a new responsibility.”
“He’s standing under the tree” and
“She understands the tree.”
take... under... stand... under...
Under- was used as a root word in Old English.
It could mean something that’s in an inferior position or rank.
“They’re undergraduate students.”
Oh, they’re in college, but they haven’t earned their degree yet.
They’re taking undergraduate courses so they can earn their bachelor’s degree.
Under-...
They’re below the rank of graduates.
undergraduate / ˌʌn dərˈgrædʒ u ɪt /
Now, they’ve graduated from college.
They’re no longer undergraduates; they’re graduates of this institution.
He graduated from college a year ago but went back to school.
So, he’s not an undergraduate student; he’s a graduate student now,
earning a master’s degree... or perhaps a doctoral degree.
Look at him, looking all smart... writing a grocery list.
graduate students / ˈgrædʒ u ɪt /
undergraduate students /ˌʌn dərˈgrædʒ u ɪt /
When I teach my undergraduate students, I often underscore the importance of
being students for life.
underscore / ˌʌn dərˈskɔr /
Here’s under- again, meaning, um... “under” or “below?”
Oh, means something a little bit different.
Literally, to underscore something
means to “score” or to draw a line under something...
to under... line it.
You underline important parts of a passage you read
to make the information easier to see...
under-line... under-score...
“As people learned how to protect themselves during the Covid-19 pandemic,
the rate of infections declined.
This underscores the importance
of educating people about public health.”
to underscore / ʌn dərˈskɔr / to stress
“When you underestimate risks, you can exacerbate a problem.”
(Remember “exacerbate” from another week?
To make something even worse...)
“To underestimate”...
You estimate at a certain level,
but your estimate is under or below the * actual * risk.
You underestimate it.
If you think someone’s capable of doing something well
and later find out they’re much better at it, you can tell them,
“Wow! I underestimated your ability.”
Um... thank you?
That can be a backhanded compliment.
Maybe there’s an underhanded motive behind this supposed compliment.
Underhanded... it’s hiding something...
Literally, there’s something, um... under your hand.
You’re really nice to your boss... when all you really want
is to gain power or a promotion...
That’s underhanded...
mmm.. don’t do that. [chuckles]
Sometimes it’s easy to see through it,
and it creates a bad environment in the workplace.
People can’t work under these conditions.
“under certain conditions...”
Oh, under-... it also means “among,” “between” ... “in the midst of.”
What?
“In the midst of?”
Yes, that’s why you say,
“Children learn better under certain conditions.”
... or when you say, “I can’t work with you
under these circumstances!”
“... in the midst of everything that’s happening...”
Oh, that’s how under- gave us “understand.”
Cool, huh?
To “understand something isn’t about “standing under anything...”
it’s more like being in a particular state in the midst of things...
among ideas?...
You “stand”... you are in a particular state
with knowledge all around you...
That’s why we say “I stand corrected.”
Yes, it’s hard to see the connection there without digging deep into the word.
But other European languages used similar processes.
In German, you “stand” (stehen)
not “under” but “in front” of something... “verstehen.”
In Latin, you bring things “together” (com),
you take them...
grab them (prehendere)...
You... “comprehend.”
Cool.
You grasp something with your mind.
You comprehend it.
“I undertook new responsibilities at work.”
“undertake”
You “undertake” an important mission.
You set about to do it... you take it on.
You undertake a responsibility.
You take it... “grasp” for it... and you tackle it...
You take the responsibility that’s around you...
and take care of it.
It’s fascinating how words undergo changes in meaning over time...
then we understand the modern meaning,
but we can’t see the word roots anymore that make them up.
Oh! I just said “words undergo changes.”
That’s another word using under-
You undergo changes...
You undergo a series of training...
you undergo hardships...
you “submit” yourself to something.
You are subjected to it.
“Sub-” ... under... “-ject” ... throw
To subject yourself... to undergo...
under-
undergraduate (below in rank)
understand (grasp an idea)
(grasp... take on a task) undertake
under certain conditions (subject to the conditions)
sub... under...
subject yourself to something (put under the control or influence of)
to undergo abject deprivation
abject...
Oh, wait!
That’s a word for next week.
Before we go, here’s a quick message.
Do you think you’re getting value from Snap Language?
Members of the channel get even more!
Join the channel to be part of our learning space.
Have more direct access
to an experienced educator with a Ph.D. and an expert in linguistics.
Get more noticed in comments and live chats.
Have discussions with me in the community tab.
Let’s do some fun stuff, too!
You can even get some extra materials and dig deeper into topics.
Hey, that’s a way for you to send me a cup of coffee,
and you’ll be able to say, “I’m part of Snap Language.”
Click the “JOIN” button and check it out.
This lovely ad really underscores the importance of community,
doesn’t it?
I’m sure you understand...
That’s why you subscribed to Snap Language.
;)
Thank you!
[♫ Snap Language theme song ♫]
[♪ plays until the end ♪]