Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun
Hypocaust .
Etymologies
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Examples
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TankHughes commented on the word hippocaust
It's not the same as hypocaust. It's the (ritualistic) burning of a horse. hippopotamus = river horse. Holocaust = wholly burned. hippocaust = burn a horse.
April 7, 2015
bilby commented on the word hippocaust
What about spit roasting it?
April 8, 2015
TankHughes commented on the word hippocaust
Oh hello, bilby. The scholarly use of the word is about rituals, not cooking. But! If you were a hippophage, you could roast it for that reason and the roots would back you up.
I just know the first time I saw this word, I pictured the systematic extinction of 1940s hippos, which is historically tragic, and then the real definition didn't really lift me out of that hole of sadness. So by talking about this word, I'm making other people also have these thoughts, but it's making me feel less depressed and alone about that imagery. This is my free internet word therapy. How are you?
April 9, 2015
bilby commented on the word hippocaust
I'm appreciating your therapy :-)
April 10, 2015