The story
Coined by Dutch physician Samuel Mendes da Costa; erythrokeratodermia (a class of diseases) + Latin variabilis (“variable”), from erythro- + kerato- + -derma + -ia.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
erythrokeratodermia variabilis
Today it means: A rare genetic skin disorder characterized by hyperkeratosis, lesions, or dark markings on the skin; Mendes da Costa syndrome. Full definition →