2007-01-18 22:41:14 · 15 answers · asked by ALAN H 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It used to be said that it meant 'I don't know', but 'recent linguistic fieldwork, however, has confirmed the existence of a word gangurru in the northeast Aboriginal language of Guugu Yimidhirr, referring to a species of kangaroo.'
2007-01-18 22:53:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know.
I believe that when an early settler asked an aborigine what that big animal aws called hre thought he was being asked what that specific one was named and answered 'Kangaroo'....which means 'I don't know'
I cannot vouch for then accuracy of that story but have been told it more than once.
2007-01-19 06:46:46 · answer #2 · answered by alan h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i heard that when asked a aborigine answered kangra roo as in excuse me or pardon me and the aswer was taken as the animal so we have kangaroo
2007-01-19 06:53:27 · answer #3 · answered by The Fat Controller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard the typical explaination of it meaning "I don't know" or "I don't understand".
But many sources also say that Kangaroo just means "Meat". As in, something good for eating.
2007-01-19 06:50:39 · answer #4 · answered by ljn331 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in my langaje kang aroo (2 werds) meens i do not no. Our word for a kangaroo is yonga...u do no say the G hard it is sed with the NG together as in soNG wroNG so yonga is yoNGa morr lik yonna
2014-10-01 22:45:44 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is the english translation, when James Cook asked what it (the animal) was, he was told 'gangurru' which was recorded as 'kangooroo or kanguru'.
2007-01-19 06:49:00 · answer #6 · answered by simbar 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah i live in auss, and i heard of that folktale too.
The person didn't know what he was asking so he told him, " Kangaroo" meaning " i don't know " .
2007-01-19 07:03:13 · answer #7 · answered by Tosh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do know that the popular misconception is that it means "I've no idea" or "I don't know". Can't remember the actual translation though, sorry.
2007-01-19 06:45:27 · answer #8 · answered by Joseph Manners 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
King mouse.
2007-01-19 06:47:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
big boxing bouncy mouse.
2007-01-19 10:28:39 · answer #10 · answered by ravey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋