Kangaroo
From Fresh Dictionary
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English
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Pronunciation
- IPA:/,kæÅgÉ'ru:/
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Etymology
From the Guugu Yimidhirr language word gangurru, referring to the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus). The name was first recorded by Lieutenant (later Captain) on the banks of the Endeavour River at the site of modern Cooktown (wikipedia:Cooktown).
Kangaroo soon became adopted into standard English where it has come to mean any member of the family of kangaroos and wallabies.
In a widely circulating myth, James Cook is supposed to have asked a native "What is that?" to which the reply "kangaroo", meaning "I don't understand" was given. This story, although amusing, is completely untrue.
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Noun
Kangaroo (plural Kangaroos)
- Member of a family of large marsupials with strong hind legs for hopping, mainly found in Australia.
- 1770: Besides the Animals which I have before mentioned, called by the Natives Kangooroo, or Kanguru ... — James Cook, Captain Cook's Journal During the First Voyage Round the World, description of Endeavour River, at 4 August 1770 [1]
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Translations
marsupial
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Derived terms
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See also
el:kangaroo fr:kangaroo io:kangaroo la:kangaroo fi:kangaroo zh:kangaroo