Since 1992
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By Barbara McAlister
Word of the Day: Protean
In June, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading expert on infectious disease, said in a coronavirus update that in all the years of working with infectious diseases, he had “never seen anything that is so protean in its ability to make people sick.”
Since that time, “protean” has become one of the most looked up words on the internet. It’s an adjective to describe something that tends to change easily or frequently. Like the coronavirus, it’s something variable and adaptable.
The word comes from Proteus, who in Greek mythology was a sea god able to assume different forms. Although Proteus plays a major part in Homer’s “Odyssey,” he’s generally not as well-known as his father, Poseidon.
Proteus also gave his name to the biological genus protea, a large and diverse family of colorful South African flowers. The protea flower, with pink and yellow petals, is the national flower of South Africa. The South African National cricket team, whose team crest features a large flower, is known as the Proteas. In South Africa, the protea represents hope and change.
Proteus syndrome is also the name of the rare genetic mutation disorder suffered by Joseph Merrick, otherwise known as the Elephant Man.
