2641: Derivatives of Latin Plumbum (Lead) Mar 11, 2022

The Latin name for the metal lead is plumbum, hence the symbol on the periodic table of Pb. This word is borrowed from another pre-Indo-European language in the Italian peninsula like Etruscan. It is also where numerous other words and expressions come from in English. For instance, the word 'plummet' as in 'fall straight down', and pipes, even in Ancient Rome were often lead hence 'plummer'. More obviously like 'plumb' meaning 'straight' (e.g. "it hit him plumb in the jab"), or the stance of the batsman's legs in front of the wicket in cricket, since lead at the end of a plumb-line was used to keep a rope taut when held straight up. As a result of the meaning of 'straight', it also means 'truly; plainly' as in "the fish plumb swam away".