child prodigy / prodigal son
The words prodigy and prodigal have different meanings but they seem somewhat alike. I am mixing them up sometimes. Is there a connection between these words or is it merely coincidence? As a father you would rather wish that your child would be a child prodigy than that it would be a prodigal son, it is quite a difference.

Question

Answer

According to Online Etymology Dictionary  (www.etymonline.com)
“Prodigal” originates from the Latin “prodigus”=wasteful
“Prodigy” originates from the Latin “prodigium”=prophetic sign, omen, portent, prodigy

Whether or not “prodigus” and “prodigium” are related, I think we need someone who is proficient in Latin to tell us. They do seem similar, but so do “rain” and “ruin”.

Answer

Both words are of Latin origin, but as far as I know that is the full extent of their connection.  Sometimes words are just very similar and in those cases you unfortunately just have to make mistakes and learn the differences through trial and error and memorization.