Antichoromanic

/ˌæntɪkɔːroʊˈmeɪnɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to treatment or opposition of choromania (a historical condition characterized by compulsive dancing or involuntary muscle spasms).

Etymology

Anti- + choromanic (from Greek 'choros' meaning dance + 'mania' meaning madness). This rare medical term refers to historical remedies for dancing plagues, which actually occurred in medieval Europe.

Kelly Says

Dancing plagues really happened—in 1518 Germany, people danced uncontrollably until they collapsed, and doctors wrote about 'antichoromanic' treatments, a word capturing one of history's strangest medical mysteries.

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