Hippo
/ˈhɪp.oʊ/noun
A shortened form of hippopotamus, meaning a large African semi-aquatic mammal.
Did you know?The full Greek name ἱπποπόταμος (hippopótamos) literally means “river horse,” from ἵππος (horse) + ποταμός (river), a perfect example of how ancient people used language to tame something terrifying.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἱπποπόταμος (hippopótamos)
“river horse”
Late Latin
Latin
hippopotamus
“hippopotamus”
18th Century
English
hippopotamus
“the large African river mammal”
19th Century
English
hippo
“shortened informal form of hippopotamus”
Modern English
English
hippo
“informal shortening of hippopotamus”
Explore more surprising origins