Geophagy
/dʒiˈɒfədʒi/noun
The practice of eating earth, clay, or soil.
Did you know?Clay consumption has appeared in traditional healing and ceremonial practices worldwide, although eating contaminated soil can cause serious illness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰéǵʰōm
“Earth or ground; the ancient root behind the earth-related element geo-”
Ancient Greek
Greek
gē
“Earth or land”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phagein
“To eat or consume”
Ancient Greek
Greek
geōphagia
“The eating of earth or soil”
19th Century
English
geophagy
“The practice of eating earth, especially clay or soil”
Modern English
English
geophagy
“The deliberate consumption of earth or earthy substances”