chiropodist

American  

[ki-rop-uh-dist, kahy-, shuh-] / kɪˈrɒp ə dɪst, kaɪ-, ʃə- /

noun

1. a podiatrist.

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Etymology

Origin of chiropodist

First recorded in 1775–85; chiro- + -pod + -ist

Explanation

A chiropodist is a doctor who specializes in feet. In other words, a chiropodist is a podiatrist. If your heel hurts or you have a broken foot, who should you call? A chiropodist, of course. If you've never heard of a chiropodist, that's because this word, especially in American English, has been nearly eclipsed by its synonym podiatrist. The two words share the Greek root pod- (meaning "foot"). A chiropodist was originally a hand and foot doctor, but in many parts of the world today chiropodist is used instead of podiatrist to designate a foot doctor.

Example Sentences

Still standing is Chiropodist Girard's offer of $500 for a nine-leaf clover.

From Time Magazine Archive

Chiropodist Dr. A. U. Johnson of Midland, Texas, has taken the tips off little toes of a couple of hundred people.�ED.

From Time Magazine Archive

There is a "foot clinic" run by Chiropodist Earl G. Kaplan in his spare time, a dental clinic operated by volunteers from the Detroit Society of Dental Hygienists, a legal clinic manned by top lawyers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Claiming the title of "Clover-Collecting Champion of the World," Chiropodist Girard in 20 years has found hundreds of four-leafers, scores of fivers and sixers, about a dozen seven-leafers.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Chiropodist has now his guinea, a country villa, and railway season ticket; in the old days he stood at corners, with knife and scissors in hand, crying “Corns to pick.”

From A History of the Cries of London Ancient and Modern by Hindley, Charles