Oh, Say, What Is This Fearful, Wild In-Cor-Ri-Gible Cuss? "This Crea-Ture (Don't Say 'Cuss,' My Child; 'T Is Slang) - This Crea-Ture Fierce Is Styled The Hip-Po-Pot-Am-Us. His Curious Name De-Rives Its Source From Two Greek Words: Hippos - A Horse, Potamos - River. See? The River'S Plain E-Nough, Of Course; But Why They Called That Thing A Horse, That's What Is Greek To Me."