2006-12-03 20:35:34 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The character was named after a toy bear owned by Milne's son, Christopher Robin Milne. Most of the other characters are also named after toys belonging to Christopher Milne, the exceptions being Christopher Robin himself, and Owl and Rabbit, who are presumably based on real-life animals. Christopher Milne had named his toy after a real bear called Winnipeg, brought to Britain from Canada and whom Milne and his son often saw at London Zoo, and "Pooh", a swan they had met on a holiday (who appears in When We Were Very Young).
Winnipeg the bear was discovered at a stop in White River, Ontario, by members of The Fort Garry Horse Canadian regiment of cavalry, en route to the battlefields of France during World War I. The bear was smuggled into Britain as the unofficial regimental mascot. Winnie's first owner was Lt. Harry Colebourn. He was the regiment's veterinarian, responsible for their horses. Winnie's eventual destination was to be the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, but at the end of the War, the officers of the Fort Garry Horse decided to allow her to remain in London Zoo, where she was much loved for her playfulness. She was known as a gentle bear and never attacked anyone. This is exactly what inspired Milne to write about Pooh Bear.
2006-12-04 00:49:13 · answer #1 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's said in the beginning of the book that Winnie the Pooh was the name A A Milne's son had given to his teddy bear. Milne did question the name because it was a bit weird (he thought "Winnie" was a name for a girl-bear, not a boy-bear as the son stated it was) but the son said it was correct and wanted to hear a story about the teddybear's adventures. (Well, you'll never know if it's true, but that's what the book says)
2006-12-04 05:34:54 · answer #2 · answered by johanna m 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pooh was originally the name of a swan, and A.A. Milne used it for Winnie.
2006-12-04 05:08:46 · answer #3 · answered by Ted T 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
walt stepped in some poo and said "Oh I will call my bear character 'Winnie the ****' " But Mr. Disney soon realized that **** could not be put on air so he went with "pooh" instead. it was going to be "poo" but it was a typo
2006-12-04 04:38:30 · answer #4 · answered by Wow! I have a pig nose! 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Read the book, it tells you.
2006-12-04 04:42:48 · answer #5 · answered by Nikkers 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋