Goodbye Bulgaria. Hello….

Hello from my new destination – North Macedonia.

Formerly known simply as Macedonia.

Today I’m exploring the capital, Skopje.

Formerly known less-simply as Colonia Flavia Scupinorum.

That was during Roman times.

Take a closer look at those three words.

I’m going to turn one of those Latin words into an English lesson…

SKOPJE FREE WALKING TOUR

The best way to be introduced to a new city is to take a free walking tour.

And in my opinion, a good tour guide combines three things: legends, opinions and facts.

Zoran, my tour guide today, told us the facts: How many people live here… what year they conquered so and so and were conquered by so and so… etc.

He gave us opinions: He likes the street dogs… He likes burek for breakfast…. He doesn’t like his politicians…

And he gave us legends.

For example…

SCOPE

According to Zoran, the name Scupinorum, and later, Skopje, comes from the Greek word skopein.

What do you need if you want to look at the stars?

A telescope.

What does a doctor give you if he wants to look inside you?

A colonoscopy.

What do you look at if you want to see your future?

A horoscope.

So the root word means to look at, to watch, to examine.

And the old town of Colonia Flavia Scupinorum was given its name because its elevation made it a good place to watch for approaching enemies.

Is it true?

I don’t know.

But it’s a good story.

And maybe it’ll help you remember some more English words with “scope.”

Cheers,
Mr. Vig

P.S.

Know any more English words with “scope”?

I can think of five more.

Share your guesses in the comments and I’ll reveal them all tomorrow.