Did you know? Kangaroo is originally an Aboriginal word

Kangaroos are certainly one of Australia’s most iconic animals. What you may not know is that the word ‘kangaroo’ is actually derived from an Aboriginal word.

The first recorded instance of the word was in 1770, when British explorer James Cook noted it down in his diary. The word itself comes from the Guugu Yimithirr language spoken by the Aboriginal people of the area. When pronouncing the word using traditional pronunciation, it would be spelled as ‘gangurru’. A common myth about the word is thought to be ‘something that I do not know’, because when Captain Cook and his crew asked what the strange hopping animal was called, they were told ‘kanguru’, which in their language meant ‘I don’t understand you’. Over time, the word kangaroo has become synonymous with Australia, and is one of the most recognized words in the English language.

Kangaroos are also a popular figure in Aboriginal culture and mythology, appearing in many Dreamtime stories. In fact, the kangaroo is often referred to as a ‘Dreaming’ or ‘Law’ animal, which means it plays an important role in the spiritual beliefs of Aboriginal people. Today, the kangaroo remains an important part of Australian culture and identity. Though their population numbers have fluctuated over the years due to hunting and habitat loss, they continue to thrive across the country.

So next time you see a kangaroo hopping around, you’ll now know that its name has a rich and interesting history!

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