Expert: Maria - 12/11/2005

Question
I attend Miami University in Ohio and there was a group named the Erodelphian Literary Society which consisted of gentlemen and scholars.  I was unable to translate their name and thought that it might be in Latin or Ancient Greek.  Any help is appreciated.  Scott  

Answer
Hello,

It is not easy to explain the etymology of the coined name of this  literary society which was organized in September, 1825, "having for its professed object the cultivation of science, eloquence, and friendship".

First of all I have to point out that the adjective  "Erodelphian" like this  does not exist in ancient Greek.

I think however it is composed of two Greek stems, i.e. ERO (from "eiromai") and DELPHIAN (from "adelpheios").


In fact  I suppose that  the first part ERO-  derives  from the stem of  the Greek  verb "eiromai" which means "I answer", "I speak", "I search", while the second part DELPHIAN  derives from  the noun  "Adelphos" (adelpheios) which means "brother".

Therefore "Erodelphian Society" would  literally  mean :
"The society of those who are brothers (understood as friends in general)  and love research and eloquence".

Hope this can be helpful to you.
Best,
Maria