CultureAugust 17, 2026

pica

PY-kuh

Definition

A medical or behavioral condition characterized by the persistent craving and consumption of non-food items, such as soil or clay.

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin term for 'magpie,' a bird famously known for its indiscriminate eating habits and tendency to collect varied objects.

In the news

In the article, the filmmaker explores the cultural and historical roots of geophagy, noting how her research into this practice led her to understand pica as a behavioral condition.

Resisting Narratives of Erasure showcases suppressed stories from eight young filmmakers

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