Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Yes - you read that right.

It means - "a factitious word alleged to mean 'a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silica dust, causing inflammation in the lungs.'" A condition meeting the word's definition is normally called silicosis.

WHY???

No seriously – Why??? 

It just so happens to be the longest word (in a major dictionery) in the English language BUT why did someone have to make up that particular name for that particular disease, and why so long???

Imagine it – 9.30am, a meeting convenes in a hotel boardroom located conviently near to Las Vegas (hey, them name-creating committee members need some leisure time too, after all, you can only play so many rounds of golf in a day!!).

Chair –“Ok, new disease folks.  Gotta have a name for it guys – lets have your ideas. Quickly folks, tea break coming up”

All 30 members puts forward their ideas

Chair “Ok – tell you what.  Let’s put all of those ideas into one big name. Right, job done – who’s for a round of golf??”

I know, I know – latin words thingy breakdown into descriptive reasoning...la-de-dah...zzzzzzz.

But pity the poor nurse who has to make the notes on the patients chart.

Doctor – “Aha, Mr Jennings, I do believe you have a severe case of Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis”

Nurse – “Say what!!! – You taking the p......, err Michael?????”

Nurse – “Anyhow - How do you spell that?”

AND the patients are wising up as well.  Oh yes, they know that the longer and multi-syllabic the word is, then the more irrelevant the disease will be.

God help you if the doctor ever says “Mr Jennings, nothing to worry about – You’ll be fine”

FINE – small word so it MUST be serious!!!

Thought of the day

If you think nobody cares.............try missing a few payments!!!!