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Why is it called an adam's apple?

Adam's Apple

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Hi Vijin. The second question is not really relevant to the first. – Matt Эллен Mar 11 '12 at 10:14
@MattЭллен,Can i ask that as a separate question.is it worth? – Vijin Paulraj Mar 11 '12 at 10:41
The second question is not a good style of question for Stack Exchange, as it just requests a list. I can't think of a way to write the question so it has a single definitive answer. It would be better to find a website about the body and ask there. – Matt Эллен Mar 11 '12 at 11:07

2 Answers

up vote 1 down vote accepted

Adam’s apple was used to describe an actual fruit before it was used to describe the lump that men have in their throats. That first occurs in 1625 with the explanation:

They call a man Adam, from our first father Adam, whose wife tempted with the forbidden fruit,‥but as her husband swallowed it, the Hand of God stopped it in his throat, whence a Man hath a Bunch there, which women haue not, called by them Adams apple.

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+1 for mentioned the yr. – Vijin Paulraj Mar 11 '12 at 9:50
up vote 3 down vote

Personally, I've only ever heard one explanation: according to legend, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Bible (an "apple") a piece became lodged in his throat; so, Adam's apple. When the legend originated is somewhat of a mystery.

The technical term for the Adam's apple is laryngeal prominence.

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Hm, I always thought the technical term was thyroid cartilage. – phoog Mar 27 '12 at 0:17
@phoog I believe that that is another accepted term for it as well. – Mahnax Mar 27 '12 at 0:18

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