What language did the word kangaroo come from?

Answer 1

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.

It could be that "Kangaroo" is the name of a specific type of kangaroo in one Australian aboriginal language. Europeans applied the name to all similar creatures.

Answer 2

It is derived from the Guugu Yimidhirr word "gangurru" refaring to the grey kangaroo. Sir Joseph Banks, botanist on James Cook's first voyage, noted the name of the kangaroo as "gangurru" when he tried to communicate with the Aborigines regarding the name of the strange hopping animal noted on Australia's shores. It is clear from Banks's observations and notes that the Aborigines consistently called the creature by that name.

The belief that the word means "I don't understand you" is derived from myth.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

"Kangaroo" or "kangaru" is an aboriginal word. There is some belief that when early settlers tried to ask the local Aborigines what the name of the strange-looking hopping creature was, the Aborigines replied "Kangaru", meaning "I don't understand what you're saying". From then on, the animal became known as the kangaroo.

This is false, however. Sir Joseph Banks, botanist on James Cook's first voyage, noted the word as "gangurru" when he tried to communicate with the Aborigines regarding the name of the animal. It is clear from Banks's observations and notes that the Aborigines consistently called the creature by that name.