10 uncommon -ologies
Biology, Geology, Sociology, Criminology... all studies that we have, generally, a good idea about. This is, however, not always the case... as these not so common -ologies show.
Apiology
The study of honeybees. From the Latin apis meaning 'bee'. The scientific study of bees in general is Melittology
Areology
The study of the planet Mars. In Roman mythology, Mars was the god of war. The word comes from the equivalent Greek god, Aries
Cynology
The study of dogs. It's a compound word derived from the Greek kynos meaning 'dog' and the suffix -ology for 'study'
Dendrology
The study of woody plants e.g. shrubs and trees. From the Greek for 'tree'. Alternatively, there is xylology, derived from the Greek for 'wood'
Dipterology
The study of flies. Flies belong to the taxonomic order Diptera, derived from the Greek di meaning ‘two’ and pteron meaning ‘wing’. These insects have a single pair of wings
Ethology
The study of animal behaviour. The word is derived from the Greek ethos meaning 'character'. Darwin was the first ethologist.
Kymatology
The study of waves/wave motions. From Greek kyma (kymatos) meaning 'a wave'
Nephology
The study of clouds and their formation. Nephos is Greek for 'cloud'
Pomology
The scientific study of fruits and their cultivation. This word comes from the Latin for fruit - pomum
Stomatology
The study of the mouth, its disorders and diseases. It is more commonly called oral medicine (A stomatologist sounds far better than oral medicine doctor though).
