why are sharks called sharks?

Answer 1

Because if they were called sheeks, you would ask why they are called sheeks! ;-)

Answer 2

I searched "shark etymology" and this is what I got:

It was coined by sailors on John Hawkins's 1568-69 expedition. This expedition returned a specimen of the fish to London. Where they caught the fish is not recorded, but the trip was one to the Caribbean and was famous for a battle with the Spanish fleet off Veracruz in Mexico. Why they called this fish a shark is not known.
But it is possible that the word derives from the Mayan word for the fish, xoc, pronounced showk. This word is represented in Mayan writing by a glyph of two fish fins or sometimes two fish. Given the destination of the Hawkins's expedition, it is possible that the sailors adopted the local Indian word for the fish.

I learned something today...now my quota is full (x3)!

Answer 3

Etymology
Until the 16th century sharks were known to mariners as "sea dogs". According to the OED the name "shark" first came into use after Sir John Hawkins' sailors exhibited one in London in 1569 to refer to the large sharks of the Caribbean Sea, and later as a general term for all sharks. The name may have been derived from the Mayan word for fish, xoc, pronounced "shock" or "shawk".

Answer 4

Shark is an interesting word, appearing much later than one might expect. It was coined by sailors on John Hawkins's 1568-69 expedition. This expedition returned a specimen of the fish to London. Where they caught the fish is not recorded, but the trip was one to the Caribbean and was famous for a battle with the Spanish fleet off Veracruz in Mexico. Why they called this fish a shark is not known.

But it is possible that the word derives from the Mayan word for the fish, xoc, pronounced showk. This word is represented in Mayan writing by a glyph of two fish fins or sometimes two fish. Given the destination of the Hawkins's expedition, it is possible that the sailors adopted the local Indian word for the fish.


Isn't that xoc-ing?

Answer 5

1569, of uncertain origin; apparently the word and the first specimen were brought to London by Capt. John Hawkins's second expedition (landed 1565; see Hakluyt).

"There is no proper name for it that I knowe, but that sertayne men of Captayne Haukinses doth call it a 'sharke' " [handbill advertising an exhibition of the specimen, 1569]

The meaning "dishonest person who preys on others," though only attested from 1599 (sharker in this sense is from 1594), may be the original sense, later applied to the large, voracious marine fish. It is possibly from Ger. Schorck, a variant of Schurke "scoundrel, villain," agent noun of M.H.G. schürgen (Ger. schüren) "to poke, stir." The Eng. word was applied to voracious or predatory persons, on the image of the fish, from 1707 (originally of pick-pockets); loan shark is attested from 1905. Sharkskin was used for binding books, etc. As the name of a type of fabric held to resemble it, it is recorded from 1932.

Answer 6

1569, of uncertain origin; apparently the word and the first specimen were brought to London by Capt. John Hawkins's second expedition (landed 1565; see Hakluyt).
"There is no proper name for it that I knowe, but that sertayne men of Captayne Haukinses doth call it a 'sharke' " [handbill advertising an exhibition of the specimen, 1569]

Answer 7

Hello little Liam,

Umm, little Liam.
Are you called that cos perhaps your a midget, or maybe your dick reflects your inteligence, Little..??? Now if you were to ask me why my nickname is Donkey dick. well. i'll leave that to your imagination..

Sharks were called Sharks, cos they would be stupid being called an Elephant. Elephants dont have enormous teeth and they cant swim under water..Can you imagine those films being called Elephant 1, Elephant 2.

Answer 8

this can be taken alot further than the example of "shark"...why have we given any word we use its own specific meaning?? cavemen just pointed and grunted, and understood each other perfectly fine, but today we have to worry about the way we pronounce certain words....words that were given to things for what real reason?? no one knows!! grr, if only i could be a caveman and grunt and point....

Answer 9

Because they are sharks.. I do not get your question..

Answer 10

because its the name that was given to em nd mayb the person who descoverd them ad the word or name shark in theyr name!?!?

Answer 11

they used to be called sarks named after the roman god of 'sharp teeth' but shome proffesshor with a lishp wash overheard in a convershation he wash having with a tight lipped aquarium.