Reply to: RE>Varicella/Chicken pox
Why the name "chickenpox"? Chapter 71 (authored by Lawrence Gelb) of Bernard
Fields Virology textbook suggests that chickenpox is derived from the French
word, "chiche", which means chickpea. This is an apparent reference to the look
and size of the pock. Alternatively, it may be a derivative of the old English
word "gican" which means to itch. This is a reference to a symptom of the
disease with which most of us have been all too aware of at some point in our
lives.
If these answers appear to be too academic, tell her that the skin of someone
who has chickenpox looks like that of a plucked chicken!!!
Hope you get the answer and not the disease.
Sincerely, G. Kemble
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Date: 5/5/94 7:19 AM
To: George Kemble
From: Howard Taylor
My daughter (5 years old) asked me last night "Why is Chicken pox
called Chicken pox, Daddy?"
Well couldnt answer...looked in acouple of books... nobody addresses this
question! ....
Can some one help me out?
Cheers, Howard.
