ErinKC
03-07-20, 23:58
To fully reveal my nerdiness, my husband bought a book of vocabulary recently and we read through a section every night at dinner.... Tonight was "hypo" words and I found the origin of hypocondria so interesting because I couldn't work out why it started with hypo (meaning below/under). Here it is:
The second part of hypocondria derives from chondros, the Greek word for cartilage. The cartilage in question is that of the sternum, or breastbone. From ancient times, doctors believed that certain internal organs or regions were the seat of various diseases, both physical and mental, and the area under the breastbone was thought to be the source of hypocondria.
The more you know...
The second part of hypocondria derives from chondros, the Greek word for cartilage. The cartilage in question is that of the sternum, or breastbone. From ancient times, doctors believed that certain internal organs or regions were the seat of various diseases, both physical and mental, and the area under the breastbone was thought to be the source of hypocondria.
The more you know...