This is a fun word…just the sound of it is pleasing, and its etymology interesting. The English name for this large mammal found in the swamps, lakes, and waterways of sub-Saharan Africa comes, like several African animals, from ancient Greek. The hippo segment, ἵππος in Greek, means “horse”. Several other words in English use this…

I finally added the first installment of little etymology curiosities…here it is: I learned about the origins of this word when reading Plutarch. In one of his biographical sketches (I don’t remember which), he explains how ancient Greeks in Athens would periodically vote to kick someone out of Athenian society. Individual citizens did this by…