Pontifex maximus pointed out that the term existed before there were any bridges in Rome and derived the word from Old Latin "pontis" (sic) meaning a powerful or absolute master, while others derived it from "potis facere" in the sense of "able to sacrifice". The last derivation is mentioned also by Varro, who rejected it, but it was the view of Pontifex Maximus Quintus Scaevola. Others have held that the word was originally "pompifex" (leader of public processions). The word "pons" originally meant "way" and "pontifex" would thus mean "maker of roads and bridges". Another opinion is that the word is a
Escargot English of the French word "escargot" to mean "edible snail" dates from 1892. The French word (1549) derives from "escaragol" (Provençal) and thence "escargol" (Old French), and is ultimately – via Vulgar Latin "coculium" and Classical Latin "conchylium" – from the Ancient Greek "konchylion (κογχύλιον)", which meant "edible shellfish, oyster". The "Online Etymological Dictionary" writes, "The form of the word in Provençal and French seems to have been influenced by words related to "scarab"." Not all species of land snail are edible, and many are too small to make it worthwhile to prepare and cook them. Even among the edible