Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #19

(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)

19.) Teratology
-noun singular

a.) Mythology relating to fantastic creatures and monsters.*

b.) The study of monstrosities, malformations, or serious deviations from the normal type in developing organisms.

c.) The biological study of birth defects.

[Origin: from the Greek τέρᾰς (genitive τέρᾰτος), meaning "monster" or "marvel" and λόγος, meaning "word" or "speech"]

*As early as the 17th century this term referred to a discourse on prodigies and marvels of anything so extraordinary as to be deemed abnormal. Members of the tribe will relate to fitting into this category (as we are well aware that many still consider us to be abnormal freaks of nature). In my opinion, the original concept of the term (along with the related word “demonstration,” describing that which is truly extraordinary and marvelous enough to be thoroughly looked at) actually seems quite well suited to grace our true nature.