siamese twin
Definition
Noun: 1. A person who is one of a pair of monozygotic (identical) twins born with their physical bodies connected at a specific point. This is a historical and now generally considered outdated or insensitive term for the condition now medically known as conjoined twins. The term originated from the famous 19th-century brothers Chang and Eng Bunker, who were born in Siam (now Thailand).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The historical term "siamese twin" is derived from Chang and Eng Bunker.
- Modern medical literature prefers the term "conjoined twin" over "siamese twin."
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe two things that are very closely linked or inseparable, though this usage is also declining due to the term's potentially offensive connotations.
- The two political issues became a siamese twin, impossible to address separately.
Variants and Related Words
- Conjoined twin (n): The modern, standard medical and preferred term for the condition.
- Craniopagus (n): Conjoined twins joined at the head.
- Thoracopagus (n): Conjoined twins joined at the chest.
- Pyopagus (n): Conjoined twins joined at the buttocks.
Synonyms
- Conjoined twin (preferred synonym)
- Double monster (archaic and highly offensive medical term)
Related Idioms
- "Joined at the hip": An idiom meaning two people are constantly together or very closely associated. This is a common, figurative replacement for the metaphorical use of "siamese twin."
- Those two best friends are practically joined at the hip.
Noun
-
one of a pair of identical twins born with their bodies joined at some point
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