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It is a common myth that the word "kangaroo" means "I don't understand what you're saying". The legend goes that early Australian settlers reportedly asked the indigenous people what the hopping creature was called. The native replied 'kangaru' which in his language meant 'I don't know' or 'I don't understand'.
According to reliable sources, the word "kangaroo" is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word gangurru, a Guugu Yimidhirr word referring to the Grey Kangaroo. Captain James Cook's botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, first recorded the word as "kangaru" when the Endeavour was damaged on the Great Barrier Reef near modern-day Cooktown, and required the crew to stay on the mainland for almost 7 weeks repairing their ship. This gave Banks ample time to make copious notes on the fauna and flora, and to be certain of the Aboriginal word for kangaroo, even though he had trouble translating it into written form.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe word "kangaroo" does not mean anything. It is a complete myth that it translates to "I don't understand your question" or "I don't know what you're saying".
The word is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word gangurru, a Guugu Yimidhirr word referring to the Grey Kangaroo. Captain James Cook's botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, first recorded the word as "kangaru" when the Endeavour was damaged on the Great Barrier Reef near modern-day Cooktown.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe Australian flag does not have a kangaroo on it.
The Australian coat of arms has a kangaroo and an emu, both of which are believed to have been included as neither has ever been recorded as taking a backward step - hence, "Advance Australia". While there is considerable dispute over the veracity of this statement, it remains the reason why (according to the government website) these creatures were included on the coat of arms.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoKangaroo originates from the word, ganurra - used by the aborigines from Queensland, Australia
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoSometimes one will see a "kangaroo sign" on roads - this warns that kangaroos may be encountered on the road ahead for the next few kilometres.
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Is the word kangaroo from Australia?
Yes. The word "kangaroo" is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word gangurru, a Guugu Yimidhirr word referring to the Grey Kangaroo.
What does a kangaroo's name mean?
The word 'kangaroo' does not mean anything.It is merely the word used by various aboriginal tribes to describe the largest marsupial.Various myths include that it means (in aboriginal dialect):I don't understand what you're sayingThat's your index fingerNone of these, however, is true. The scientific name for the kangaroo family is Macropodidae. "Macropod" means big-footed.
What does the name kangaroo mean?
The grey kangaroo's name does not mean anything. It is simply the word used by various aboriginal tribes to refer to this animal.Various myths which are untrue include that it means (in aboriginal dialect):I don't understand what you're sayingThat's your index fingerThe scientific name for the kangaroo family is Macropodidae. "Macropod" means big-footed.
What does the grey kangaroo's name mean?
The grey kangaroo's name does not mean anything. It is simply the word used by various aboriginal tribes to refer to this animal.Various myths which are untrue include that it means (in aboriginal dialect):I don't understand what you're sayingThat's your index fingerThe scientific name for the kangaroo family is Macropodidae. "Macropod" means big-footed.
What is kangaroo in aboriginal language?
There are many words for kangaroo in the Australian aboriginal language. The Aborigines of Australia had over 250 languages between their 600+ cultural groups prior to European settlement.The most commonly known word is gangurru. It is the word from which "kangaroo" is derived.
What does the aboriginal word encrout mean?
Encrout is not an aboriginal word.
What does the aboriginal word Ngamadji mean?
The aboriginal word Ngamadji usually mean of the family of Ngamadj.
What does the Aboriginal word Yarralumla mean?
The Aboriginal word "Yarralumla" is said to mean "echo." This spelling is an alteration of the original Aboriginal spelling "Yarrowlumla."
In art what do aboriganal symbols mean?
The aborigines used symbols in their drawings to represent Dreamtime. If you look on a few different websites, they will explain exactly what each symbol means. I would need a full page to list them all on here.
What does the aboriginal word girralong mean?
The aboriginal word girralong means "star".
What aboriginal food are there?
kangaroo emu
What is the aboriginal name for the red kangaroo?
This depended on the locality in Australia and the aboriginal tribe.The word "kangaroo" itself is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word gangurru, a Guugu Yimidhirr word referring to the Grey Kangaroo. Captain James Cook's botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, first recorded the word as "kangaru" when the Endeavour was damaged on the Great Barrier Reef near modern-day Cooktown, and required the crew to stay on the mainland for almost 7 weeks repairing their ship.Other tribes had different names for the kangaroo, and different words for different species of kangaroo. Some of these other words included:badagarangbanggaraibuduruwulabawularu
