The origin of the word is a curious one.
When the Greeks visited Egypt the Pyramids were already several thousand
years old.
[Illustration: THE MUMMY]
Of course the Egyptians took their guests into the desert to see these
wondrous sights just as we take foreigners to gaze at the Wool-worth
Tower and Brooklyn Bridge.
The Greek guest, lost in admiration, waved his hands and asked what the
strange mountains might be.
His guide thought that he referred to the extraordinary height and said
"Yes, they are very high indeed."