If doctors do not want to be understood, they use Latin jargon. Right?

Wrong. Most of the medical jargon is of Greek origin. There are Latin words, of course, like appendix, or arteria femuralis, but other phrases, for example diaphragma, haemophilia, hydrocephalos and physiognomia, are Greek.

Even if you have not learned Greek or studied medicine, the information below will allow you to understand a decent amount of these phrases.

Step One

Try to find pairs of words, prefixes and suffixes which seem to have opposite meanings:

Step Two

Try to find word parts which seem to indicate an effect:

Step Three

Try to find words for things and body parts:

Step Four

Use your newly adopted knowledge to find excellent excuses for not having to go to work:

'I can't come to the office today because work makes my thinking far too slow' is far less impressive than '...because I have an acute ergogenous brachyencephalia.'

As you see, (ancient) Greek is a very logical language with a dramatically underestimated impact on today's life. Keep on searching useful words at the (Ancient) Greek - English Dictionary.

You'll be surprised how many Greek words sound familiar to you!