βρωμάω

• βρωμώ (vromó)

From Ancient Greek βρομέω (broméō) / βρομῶ (bromô, “to make loud noise”), from βρόμος (brómos, “loud noise”), from βρέμω (brémō, “to crash, to bang”). Related to βρόμη (vrómi, “oats”). Modern sense acquired from association of certain loud noises with a bad smell following. Compare Irish English bang (“strong smell”).

• IPA^(key): /vɾoˈmao/
• Hyphenation: βρω‧μά‧ω

βρωμάω, βρωμώ • (vromáo, vromó) (past βρώμησα, passive —)

1. (transitive, intransitive, proscribed) Alternative form of βρομάω (vromáo)

The forms with omega (βρω-) as seen here is considered incorrect but is widely found nonetheless. This form resulted from the the religious phrase "σκωλήκων βρῶμα καὶ δυσωδία" ("food of the worms and stink") which is used in the burial service. The etymologically unrelated word βρῶμα (brôma) (derived from βιβρώσκω (bibrṓskō, “to eat”)) was misinterpreted as 'bad smell' instead of 'food'.