The Hippopotamus
"Cuss" in this poem refers to "an annoying or stubborn animal."
The Hippopotamus
Poem
"Oh, say, what is this fearful, wild,
Incorrigible cuss?"
"This creature (don't say 'cuss,' my child;
'Tis slang)--this creature fierce is styled
The Hippopotamus.
His curious name derives its source
From two Greek words: hippos--a horse,
Potamos--river. See?
The river's plain enough, of course;
But why they called that thing a horse,
That's what is Greek to me."
Notes
Written by Oliver Herford (born in England but moved to the US as a teen)
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