
Cartoon: Dan Piraro
A.Word.A.Daywith Anu Garg
Monogamy is mating with one person, bigamy with two, and polygamy with multiple. So what’s autogamy? Here’s a hint: the Greek root auto- means “self”.
Intrigued? Don’t worry — no judgment here. Whether the number is zero, one, or more, it’s all good as long as everyone’s on board.
Need another hint? Autogamy happens in hothouses as well as in wide open spaces. It often generates seed. Fertilization is a possibility too.
But before your imagination runs wild, let us clear things up: autogamy is far more mundane than you think. In fact, it’s probably happening in your garden right now. Yes, right now.
This week’s words follow a similar pattern — they may sound scandalous but are thoroughly innocent. So why not liven up your office memos, HOA meeting minutes, or even your research papers with a little linguistic mischief? Who wouldn’t want to slip in a word that raises eyebrows but passes every HR compliance check?
autogamy
PRONUNCIATION:
MEANING:
noun: Self-fertilization, for example, of a flower by its own pollen.
ETYMOLOGY:
From German Autogamie, coined in 1876 by Austrian botanist Anton Kerner von Marilaun (1831-1898). Earliest documented use: 1877.