"Hermaphroditos"

SUBJECT:
[Greek Mythological Figure] Hermaphroditos was the bisexual offspring of the messenger god Hermes and Aphrodite, the goddess of love. According to one Greek myth, this handsome boy excited the passion of Salmacis, who was a nymph of a fountain near to the city of Halicarnassus in Asia Minor. When the young Hermaphroditos ignored her attentions, Salmacis prayed to the gods that she might be eternally united with him. The wish was granted when he bathed in some waters and she merged with him physically. The result was a female boy, hence the term hermaphrodite. [source]

Hermaphroditos was the offspring of the union between Hermes and Aphrodite. In a fountain near the city of Halicarnassus, there lived the nymph, Salmacis. She was very much in love with Hermaphroditos, who was a very handsome boy, but had unknowingly ignored her many romantic advances. As a result, Salmacis prayed to the gods that she and Hermaphroditos could be eternally united. Her prayer was answered, but perhaps not quite what she had in mind, for when Hermaphroditos decided to bathe in the fountain's water, Salmacis merged with him physically and the result was a female boy, a hermaphrodite. [source]

one theory about the origin of the word "dyke" as an anti-lesbian slur suggests that "dyke" derived from the word "hermaphrodite." "Hermaphrodite" is a scientific term that originated from the Greek hermaphroditos, and entered the English lexicon in the 14th century. It has been used to describe plants and animals born with some degree of ambiguity regarding their primary and/or secondary sex characteristics. Recently, the word "intersexed" has come into preferred usage, since the word "hermaphrodite" is considered to be misleading and stigmatizing, especially by those so identified and their allies. "Hermaphrodite" continues to be widely used in the medical profession, however. [source]

In many ancient cultures, such as some Native American tribes, human hermaphrodites were considered powerful and fortunate, but in modern times they're widely looked down upon as sexual freaks.

If all the above info still wasn't enough for you, here's a review of an insightful medical book about hermaphrodites.. Confounding Gender: Hermaphrodites and the Medical Establishment

COMMENTS:
While the back cover of Dog In The Sand lists the song as "Hermaphroditos," in the lyrics booket it's titled "Hermaphroditos Is My Name." Last minute shortening, perhaps?

LYRICS:
hermaphroditos is my name / whatcha playing? / hermaphroditos is my name / worship me / hermaphroditos is my name / why are you saying / hermaphroditos is my name? / how do you love me / deeply with your scalpel? / i got a mouthful / of suicidal drugs / i am a dog / i am a sculpture / you hate my features / you name me for a god / forget your yin / and go fuck your yang / it seems that you rang / and it seems i'm only answering / remember when / i was almost ready? / but it was then / that i was gone already / and i'm still around / but who wants to listen / to my voice in your prison?

LIVE: yes

ACOUSTIC: yes