As I was checking out at the supermarket the other day, I noticed that the pork tenderloin I’d selected rang in as: “ptenderloin”. Is that a silent “p” I wondered, as in the word pterodactyl?
Pterodactyl is such a curious word and I can’t help but consider its origin. A quick search reveals pterodactyl comes from two Greek words: pteron meaning “wing”and daktulos meaning “finger”.
Could it be my ptenderloin was, in fact, a winged pig? Which brings to mind the phrase: “When pigs fly”; an idiom used to convey something that will likely never happen. Supposing I’ve found this improbable flying pig – and will shortly be consuming him in some sort of delicious sauce – what exactly does that mean for me?
But the line of people behind me is growing and it’s time to finish checking out.