[meteorite-list] Anybody know the word?

[Darren Garrison]

http://www.parish-without-borders.net/cditt/cambodia/dailylife/2005/dailylifekh05.htm

3 February 2005

A 10-pound meteorite crashed into rice fields in remote Cambodia last week and
the event was definitely seen as a bad omen.  It's not hard to understand why.
The Khmer word for meteorite literally translates as "excrement of the stars."
Simple, superstitious villagers believe that meteorites are the result of the
heavens literally defecating on them.  It's hard to interpret that understanding
in any way except a very negative one!  If that weren't enough, other scared
locals have interpreted the meteorite as a sign from the tsunami spirits that
now it is their turn for their bad behavior.  Whatever the interpretation, it is
a sign of very bad luck for the villagers who saw the meteorite set several
hundred acres of rice fields on fire when it landed. District officials have
asked for scientists to come and explain the happenings to the local people to
relieve their anxieties.