I love it when weird science and obscure history intersect. In today's tidbit from National Geographic, we learn the origin of the term sardonic grin.
"By the eighth century B.C., Homer had coined the term 'sardonic grin'—'sardonic' having its roots in 'Sardinia'—in writings referring to the island's ritual killings via grimace-inducing potion." And the potion's main ingredient, hemlock water-dropwort, apparently only grows in Sardinia.
I don't know why we've come to associate sardonic with sarcasm. Perhaps the island is populated by natives who drive away unwanted visitors by mocking them derisively? Online Etymology suggests the island came first, but what if the island was named for the grin? This island's biggest claim to fame is a deadly plant that causes its victims to resemble the Joker. Not such a laughing matter.
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