Etymology

Question 1

sarcophagus

Answer 1

c. 1600, “type of stone used for coffins,” from Latin sarcophagus, from Greek sarkophagos “limestone used for coffins,” literally “flesh-eating,” in reference to the supposed action of this type of limestone (quarried near Assos in Troas, hence the Latin lapis Assius) in quickly decomposing the body, from sarx (genitive sarkos) “flesh” (see sarcasm) + phagein “to eat” (from PIE root *bhag- “to share out, apportion; to get a share”). Related: Sarcophagal.