Here's how 'parasite' went from a laughing matter to a serious biological threat

Here's how 'parasite' went from a laughing matter to a serious biological threat July 30, 20265:00 AM ET By  Ava Berger Spinach is displayed for sale on shelves at a Target store on July 23, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Brandon Bell/Getty Images Cyclospora and Christopher Nolan's nearly three hour adaptation of The Odyssey have something in common — parasites. For Cyclospora, that connection is easy to make. The microscopic parasite causes cyclosporiasis, the intestinal illness that has sickened thousands of Americans. And while Odysseus does not face an intestinal parasite on his long journey home — though his voyage was still quite miserable — he encountered another kind when he returned to Ithaca. Those were the suitors who had taken over his home, courting his wife Penelope. They embodied a popular character trope in ancient Greek writing: one that originated as a form of comic relief. Sponsor Message As part of NPR's "Word of the Week" series, we're explaining how the word "parasite" started as a joke and became anything but funny. Health Cuts to funds and staffing have slowed the response to the cyclospora outbreak A witty dinner guest in ancient Greece The original definition of parasite or "parasitos" comes from Greek, literally translating to "alongside of (para) grain or wheat (sitos)." The ancient Greeks used the word to describe someone, usually poor, who would entertain a wealthy person for food. The sentiment became an "institution" in ancient Greece and Rome, said Richard Martin, a classics professor at Stanford University. It turned into a comedic stock character, he said. "You should always expect the parasite to come on stage and do crazy stuff," Martin said. The parasite is a jokester figure who tries to derail the main character and cause confusion, with comedic names like "Bread-Chewer," Martin said. The character could also lean towards the "sleazy" side. The character was big in "New Comedy,...