student asking question

Wait. So does the word "cancer" has the same meaning as a "crab?" Is it a common phrase?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Not quite! Here, a "crab" symbolises the astrology sign "Cancer." Out of context, you wouldn't refer to a "crab" as "cancer." In fact, outside of astrology, "cancer" refers to a disease of the cells, so it could confuse people if you did call a "crab" "cancer." Ex: I'm a cancer survivor. It's been five years since my diagnosis. Ex: My astrology sign is "Cancer," so naturally, my favourite animal is the crab.

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