'sarcophagus' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'sarkophagos,' where 'sarx' meant 'flesh' and 'phagein' meant 'to eat.'

'sarkophagos' transformed into the Latin word 'sarcophagus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'sarcophagus.'

Initially, it meant 'flesh-eating,' referring to the limestone's ability to decompose the body, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'stone coffin.'