You are listening to old musical tunes, including "Melancholy Baby." Your friends are impressed when you tell them that "melancholic," referring to a depressive personality, derives from the Greek term melancholer.What does this term mean?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Melancholy comes from the Greek term "melancholer," which literally means "black bile." In ancient Greek medicine, black bile was believed to be one of the four humors (along with blood, phlegm, and yellow bile) that influenced a person's temperament and personality. Excess black bile was associated with melancholy and a depressive personality.

You Are Listening to Old Musical Tunes, Including "Melancholy Baby