2109: echidna Sep 23, 2020

'Echidna' today refers usually to an Australian egg-laying and hedgehog-like mammal, but this was also the name of a sea monster from Greek mythology: half woman and half snake who was the mother to many other Greek mythological monsters. Many people believe that the animal was named for the mythological figure i.e. like a woman who also lays eggs. Others would point to the Greek word 'ekhinos' meaning 'sea-urchin' but originally meaning 'hedgehog', though it is possible this came from or is at least connected to 'ekhis' meaning 'snake (eater)', and if so then the two etymologies are linked.

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