'aethalium' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aithalos,' where 'aith-' meant 'to burn' and '-alos' referred to 'soot or smoke.'

'aithalos' transformed into the Latin word 'aethalium,' and eventually became the modern English word 'aethalium.'

Initially, it referred to 'soot or smoke,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a large fruiting body of slime molds.'