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The Lighter Side of Classifications   By 1974 lymphoma classifications had proliferated to the point that some physicians felt confused and agitated, despite the hard work and good sense that most of the classifications involved. One doctor was moved to offer the public the following satire (H. E. M. Kay from The Lancet, Sept. 7, 1974): Classification of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas Well-defined, high-grade, oligosyllabic Poorly differentiated, polysyllabic          diffuse          circumlocutory          with dyslexogensis Unicentric          derivative          neologistic Multicentric, cycnophilic (Greek, kuknos = swan) Cleaved and convoluted types          Rappaport (non-Lukes)          Lukes (non-Rappaport) "This system makes no claims to be comprehensive or even comprehensible, so there may well be scope for other classifications of classifications and ultimately, one hopes, a classification of classifications of classifications. At that point, we shall need a conference in the Carribean."          Dr. Kay's satire is amusing and his point is well taken, at least historically. As an ill-educated, American physician, however, I am at a loss as to the target of "cycnophilic". What on earth is "swan-loving" in this field? Enlightenment would be appreciated. Table of Contents