Ok, let me get this straight. Everyone has a 'laryngeal prominence,' more commonly known as the 'Adam's Apple.' It's just that they are more prominent, and therefore visible, in some people more than others, mainly men. It's not a boys-only thing. Most people probably don't know this (or care), and while it is annoying when they try to tell you that you're wrong, it is perhaps understandable. After all, it's called an Adam's Apple.
But let's think about that- why is it called an Adam's Apple? First of all, it's not the most logical description. Ok it can sometimes look a little bit like an apple, but most of the time it just looks like a weird lump. Since when did people come up with such illogical names for body parts? Even the 'funny bone' is named so because it is in fact a clever play on the name 'humerus.'
Secondly, since when did we give religious names to things? Aren't science and religion supposed to be diametrically opposed? Sure the scientists themselves probably didn't come up with it, but it really goes against the grain. And thirdly, why is it Adam's apple anyway? The snake tempted Eve into eating the apple from the forbidden tree, and only after she convinced Adam did he eat it. So why particularly is it attributed to Adam? And since the actual thing isn't limited to men, it is a stupid name in the first place.
I do accept that it is a common name, and it wasn't thought of with any clear, logical progression, but that doesn't stop me saying how stupid and misleading the name is. It's about time we do away with it. Harrumph.
Q.E.D
I think the legend of Adam and Eve says that the piece of apple that Eve gave to Adam got stuck in his throat, hence Adam's Apple. I've also heard it comes from the Hebrew, tappuah haadam, or man's swelling...which really could have been better applied to another male body part. ;)
ReplyDeleteI take your point, but that story is rather apocryphal and has no origin in the Bible. In fact, as this piece points out, http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2682/was-the-forbidden-fruit-in-the-garden-of-eden-an-apple the original Hebrew didn't even mention an apple.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, while I'm on the topic, in Genesis God tells Adam and Eve that they cannot eat the fruit or touch the tree, or they will die. The snake says no you won't, which is in fact true. It's an interesting idea, that God's deception was the original one, which in fact set up the entire episode. It just goes to show that when you try to explain things with unreal threats of fear, it will eventually turn upon you.
ReplyDelete