NEWLOVE

I’m interested in vocabulary and etymology and subscribe to an on-line “Word Of The Day.” Rhinorrhea was the day’s word a little while back. When I saw it in the subject header of the email, I laughed in true Beavis and Butthead style. “Uh, huuuh huuuh huuuh. Rhinorrhea. Huuuuh huuuh huuuh.”

Naturally, what does rhinorrhea sound like it means? Rhinoceros diarrhea. I know that’s gross, but come on! That’s exactly where my mind went!

I pictured pools and pools of liquid rhino excrement with little children running for their lives, screaming at the top of their lungs.

Here’s what it actually means…

rhinorrhea (ry-nuh-REE-uh) noun

A runny nose.

[From Neo-Latin, from Greek rhino- (nose), -rrhea (flow).]

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