Word-Play (Literally)
With all of the wonderful reading I've been doing on games and creative play lately, I realized that some fun insights could be had around words stemming from the Latin word for play.
- Ludus — Latin for play, game. Also the name for primary schools in ancient Rome.
- Ludi — Latin for players, or students, depending on context. Also refers to spiritual, festival games.
- Ludus Magnus — the largest gladiatorial arena in Rome; literally “great game.”
And now for some word in English...
- Allude — to reference, to play with.
- Collusion — playing together, an agreement.
- Elude — to escape, literally “away from play.”
- Illude — to trick, literally “in play.”
- Illusion — tricking, deceiving, literally “playing upon.”
- Interlude — between the playing, a pause
- Ludicrous — outrageous, over-the-top, out of control
- Prelude — before the playing, a getting ready
- Postlude — after the playing, a conclusion
What words on this list stand out to you? What connection did you find the most interesting? Are there others you can think of?