Though it's unclear if the belief was widespread or even accurately reported by Pliny, what is certain is that sarkophagus came from the Greek words sark, meaning flesh, and phagein, a verb meaning to eat.
Aunque no está claro si la creencia era generalizada o incluso informada con precisión por Plinio, lo que sí es cierto es que sarcófago vino de las palabras griegas sarx, que significa "carne" y fágos, "devorador, comedor".