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prettygoodwordphthalate - n., a salt or ester of phthalic acid, commonly used as a plasticizer.
That is, added to plastics (especially PVC) to make them more flexible. Of some controversy because of health effects, especially on prenatal development. Wikipedia has a brief summary and oodles of further reading. Name apparently from naphthalene, an aromatic hydrocarbon from which phthalic acid is synthesized, which in turn is derived from Greek naphthas, used for any sort of petroleum or pitch, possibly borrowed from Persian or other points east.
If it helps you pronounce it, consider the ph to be silent.
---L.
That is, added to plastics (especially PVC) to make them more flexible. Of some controversy because of health effects, especially on prenatal development. Wikipedia has a brief summary and oodles of further reading. Name apparently from naphthalene, an aromatic hydrocarbon from which phthalic acid is synthesized, which in turn is derived from Greek naphthas, used for any sort of petroleum or pitch, possibly borrowed from Persian or other points east.
If it helps you pronounce it, consider the ph to be silent.
---L.
