Etymology

mpox

M3P3O1X8

Today it means: A viral disease, of primates and some other mammals, related to smallpox, caused by Orthopoxvirus monkeypox. Full definition →

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The story

Clipping of monkeypox coined in 2022, chosen in order to discourage racist and stigmatizing interpretations of that word. Coined by Montreal-based RÉZO, in consultation with other Canadian organizations, in parallel with the effort to change the French term. More at Wikipedia (mpox § Nomenclature).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.