fango

American  

[fang-goh] / ˈfæŋ goʊ /

noun

1. clay or mud, especially a clay obtained from certain hot springs in Battaglio, Italy, used as a hot application in the treatment of certain diseases.

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fango British  

/ ˈfæŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. mud from thermal springs in Italy, used in the treatment of rheumatic disease

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Etymology

Origin of fango

1895–1900; < Italian: mud < Germanic; compare Old English fūht damp, Sanskrit pañkas mire. See fen ¹

Example Sentences

Although the use of mud as a beauty treatment was documented in ancient Egypt, with clay from the banks of the Nile being applied to the face and skin to improve appearance and texture, it was popularised in Italy during Roman times – “fango” is Italian for “mud”.

From The Guardian

Chicago travels to Denver on Sept. 15 and runs up against former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fango, the Broncos’ head coach.

From Seattle Times

On both Saturday and Sunday, the front page of Tuttosport described Ronaldo as “più forte del fango” – stronger than the mud being slung at him.

From The Guardian

They became known to the Florentines as gli angeli del fango, "the Mud Angels."

From Time

She joined the ranks of the angeli del fango, or mud angels, who went about saving some of the world’s most treasured works, which were not only wet and muddy but in some cases – such as the marble statues in the Bargello museum – covered in slick oil that was proving difficult to remove.

From The Guardian