What is the funny story on how the kangaroo got its name?

Answer 1

The only funny story about how the kangaroo gained its name is pure fiction.

The story goes that James Cook reportedly asked the indigenous people (Aborigines) what the hopping creature he saw was called. The native replied 'kangaru' which in his language meant 'I don't know' or 'I don't understand'. The explorer did not realise that the Aborigine had not understood what he was asking and the name has been kept. This story has become an Australian legend. Other fiction behind the origin of the name include variations of the above. Explorers are said to have mistaken the aboriginal word for go that way (Kangaroo) when an aborigine pointed in a direction that a kangaroo happened to be. Another story says that when explorers asked the indigenous people what the first kangaroo they saw was, pointing at it, The natives replied "Kangaroo!" meaning "That's your index finger!"
However, these stories are only myths, and complete and utter fiction.
According to the Oceaniaweb factfile and other 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.

Answer 2

The only funny story about how the kangaroo gained its name is pure fiction.

The story goes that James Cook reportedly asked the indigenous people (Aborigines) what the hopping creature he saw was called. The native replied 'kangaru' which in his language meant 'I don't know' or 'I don't understand'. The explorer did not realise that the Aborigine had not understood what he was asking and the name has been kept. This story has become an Australian legend. Other fiction behind the origin of the name include variations of the above. Explorers are said to have mistaken the aboriginal word for go that way (Kangaroo) when an aborigine pointed in a direction that a kangaroo happened to be. Another story says that when explorers asked the indigenous people what the first kangaroo they saw was, pointing at it, The natives replied "Kangaroo!" meaning "That's your index finger!"
However, these stories are only myths, and complete and utter fiction.
According to the Oceaniaweb factfile and other 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.