WORD OF THE DAY

A hippopotamus is a huge African mammal that spends time in the water and on land. These herbivores are so enormous that one hippopotamus can eat two pounds of grass in a single feeding.

Although they're plant-eaters, hippopotamuses are powerfully strong and fiercely protective. Experts consider them to be unpredictable as well, and if you happen to be in sub-saharan Africa, it's smart to keep your distance! Hippopotamus is from the Greek ho hippos potamios, "the horse of the river," and its roots, hippos, "horse," and potamos, "rushing water."