Very often on your travels through Greece
you will come across, or hear words that seem unfamiliar. They are usually no
more than common, everyday words that sound better untranslated!
Here are some of the more common ones you are likely to hear.
Avgolemono
A combination of eggs and lemon used for thickening soups. Sometimes it also
refers to the soup made from egg, lemon sauce and rice.
Bouzouki
The popular Greek, stringed instrument related to the mandolin. Usually the
instrument that is played for Greek dancing.
Chorio
A village
Ellenikos kafes
Greek coffee. It is served in small cups and comes as glyko (sweet), metrio
(medium), or sketo (without sugar). The coffee is never stirred.
Flitzanaki
The small, heavy china cup in which Greek coffee is usually served.
Hora
Main town of an island or region; literally it means "the place".
An island hora is often known by the name of the island.
Kalderimi
Cobbled mule tracks and foot paths.
Kastro
Any fortified hill or castle, but most usually the oldest, highest, walled part
of an island hora.
Komboloi
Worry beads.
Koulouri
Ring-shaped white bread covered with sesame seeds.
Kourabiedes
Crescent-shaped biscuits covered with powdered sugar. Traditional at Christmas
time.
Krokalia
Decorative pebble mosaics found in gardens and courtyards in the Dodecanese
islands
Meze (mezedakia)
Platter of snacks served in tavernas with ouzo or wine. Often appearing as "starters"
on a taverna menu.
Moussandra
A chest, (usually decoratively painted) in which linen is stored. In the Dodecanese
islands one often hears of the so-called moussandra bed. This is a raised -
or platform - bed under which there is storage space.
Pascha
Easter.
Panagia
This usually refers to the Orthodox festival of the Dormition (Assumption) of
the Mother of God; celebrated with much gusto on the 15th August annually.
Syka
Figs
Tavas
The metal tray used in traditional Greek cafes for serving ouzo and Greek coffee.
Tavli
Backgammon