Summary: Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day – “Endemic” (February 12, 2026)

Overview

This episode explores the word endemic—its definitions, origin, usage, and how it distinguishes itself from related terms like “epidemic” and “pandemic.” Host Peter Sokolowski delivers expert insight into the word’s etymology and how it is applied in scientific, medical, and everyday contexts.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Definition and Usage

• Endemic (adjective):

  • Describes a plant or animal species that grows or exists exclusively in a certain place or area, often restricted to a particular region ([00:06]).
  • Also refers to diseases that persist over time within a specific region or population.
  • Can mean “commonly found” in a particular area or field.

• Example Sentence:

  • “Though less charismatic than the improbably pastel pink birds, unique endemic plants have achieved impressive feats of resourcefulness and endurance.”
    – from Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism by Thea Riofrancos ([00:29]).

Notable Quote:

“Endemic describes something that grows or exists in a certain place or area, and often specifically something restricted to a particular locality or region.”
— Peter Sokolowski ([00:09])

2. Etymology and Linguistic Origins

• The word “endemic” arrived in English via French and New Latin.
• Traces back to the Greek adjective endēmos, meaning a disease confined to one area ([00:53]).
  • En- means “in.”
  • Dēmos means “district, country, or people.”
• Related to the word epidemia (disease affecting many individuals), from which “epidemic” is derived ([01:17]).
• English adopted “epidemic” first (early 17th century), “endemic” over a century later, and “pandemic” in the mid-17th century ([01:33]).

Notable Quote:

“Endemic didn’t become endemic until a century and a half later. The familiar relation ‘pandemic’ slipped into the language in the mid 17th century.”
— Peter Sokolowski ([01:31])

3. Comparison with Related Terms

• Endemic: Diseases generally found in a particular area (e.g., malaria in tropical regions).
• Epidemic: Refers to a sudden, severe outbreak within a region or group.
• Pandemic: Noted as a word that entered English in the mid 17th century ([01:33–01:43]).

Notable Quote:

“Malaria, for example, is said to be endemic to tropical and subtropical regions, while epidemic indicates a sudden, severe outbreak within a region or group.”
— Peter Sokolowski ([01:48])

4. Scientific Usage

• Biologists use “endemic” to describe plant and animal species unique to a given area, highlighting biodiversity and regional adaptations ([02:06]).

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On adaptation:
  “Scientists have called the region an unparalleled natural laboratory to understand how plants adapt to extreme environmental conditions.” ([00:44])

• On language history:
  “Epidemic didn’t become endemic until a century and a half later.” ([01:31])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:06] – Definition and initial explanation
• [00:29] – Usage example from literature
• [00:53] – Etymology: Greek and Latin roots
• [01:17] – Relation to ‘epidemia’ and ‘epidemic’
• [01:33] – Timeline of the adoption of ‘epidemic’, ‘endemic’, and ‘pandemic’
• [01:48] – Distinction between endemic and epidemic
• [02:06] – Biological context for species

Conclusion

Peter Sokolowski’s concise exploration of “endemic” sheds light on its nuanced applications in science and everyday speech, supported by literary examples and a fascinating etymological background. The episode skillfully clarifies how “endemic” stands apart from other common disease-related terms and is essential for describing both the persistence of diseases and the unique distribution of flora and fauna.