#21: Muscle β€” Romans Saw a Little Mouse Under Your Skin

The Why of Words

The Why of Words
#21: Muscle β€” Romans Saw a Little Mouse Under Your Skin
May 04, 2026 Season 1 Episode 21
Explore the surprising etymology of the word "muscle"β€”it doesn't come from Latin words meaning strength or power as you'd expect. Instead, the Romans named muscles after something tiny and squirming: the word musculus literally means "mouse" because a flexing bicep resembled a small rodent.

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