Nephelococcygia

Nephelococcygia sounded like a new version of the flu so I immediately had to know what it meant. While nephelococcygia sounds ominous, it is actually a friendly fantasy word.

Imagine yourself in the days of castles, when king and queens ruled while knights slayed dragons and saved damsels in distress. When you look up at the clouds and see all these figures today, did you know there was a word for it?

Nephelococcygia was a word created by Aristophanes for his comedy "The Birds" dating back to 414 B.C. Two characters turn into birds and plan a cloud city of their own called "Nephelococcygia" (also referred to as Cloud Cuckoo Land).

Are there days you just want to get away from it all and go to Nephelococcygia? I know I sure have them...for a brief break, slip outside to soak up some awesome cloud formations and let your imagination wander.