Breakbones

/ˈbreɪkboʊnz/ noun

Definition

A common name for dengue fever, a tropical disease spread by mosquitoes, called this because it causes severe joint and bone pain.

Etymology

Literal English name combining 'break' and 'bones,' describing the symptom of severe pain that feels like bones are breaking.

Kelly Says

Dengue got this brutal nickname from people who actually had it—the fever causes such intense pain in joints and muscles that sufferers truly feel like their bones are shattering!

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