Anthropophagism

/ˌænθroʊpoʊˈfædʒɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The practice, act, or system of cannibalism; the eating of human flesh.

Etymology

From anthropophagus + -ism (practice/system). Developed in 19th century anthropological writing as scholars tried to classify human behaviors scientifically.

Kelly Says

Early anthropologists used Greek and Latin roots like this to make disturbing topics sound clinical and 'scientific'—it's worth remembering that technical language can actually distance us from the human reality behind words.

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