The Semantics of Lupus: —What Is in a Name?

First-year medical students are faced with the daunting challenge of learning medical terminology, a new language to them. As dermatology residents, we are engaged to further refine our language skills, as the mastery of eloquent description is of utmost importance in our specialty. Lupus is a term that causes much angst among dermatology residents. This article reviews the history of lupus and distinguishes the various diseases that bare this name.