If a fly is called a fly because it flies. Why isn't a bird called a fly? And why isn't a fish called a swim?
I hope this doesn't confuse you all!!!!!
2007-09-12 08:45:26 · 11 answers · asked by Scarlett 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
To distinguish it from a flea.
"A flea and a fly flew up in a flue.
Said the flea, "Let us fly!"
Said the fly, "Let us flee!"
So they flew through a flaw in the flue."
So why do they call an orange an orange?
2007-09-12 09:04:40 · answer #1 · answered by imaginaryhuman 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Even if we do assume that we call a fly a "fly" because it flies, we cannot further assume that other things should be named upon their modes of transportation. Why every goober from Texas would have to be called a pick-up truck driver"
2007-09-12 09:02:30 · answer #2 · answered by runningman022003 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it flies because it's name is "fly". Instead of being named after it's action maybe the action occurs because of the name. (The birds could be birding around and fish are kind of fishy...)
2007-09-12 09:59:43 · answer #3 · answered by ladybug 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
dont know but i dont think they are called flies becouse they fly but if they were it would be due to the name from the greak being a bit hard to say in everyday use
2007-09-12 11:06:02 · answer #4 · answered by manapaformetta 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
who said the fly was called a fly because it flies?
That is an assumption and we may never know the answer.
2007-09-12 08:53:39 · answer #5 · answered by bootsjeansnpearls 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Would a fly with no wings be called a walk?
2007-09-12 12:12:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why aren't fish called fishes because they are not also called fishing? I can be a fish, but Johnny fishes. I can be in a school of fish, but Johnny can be fishing whether Johnny fishes or is fishing, and still, Johnny can't be a fish no matter how many times he finds Nemo.
2007-09-12 09:57:37 · answer #7 · answered by Captain Ireland 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a fish is'nt called a swim coz if a fish was called a swim how would we say im going fishing??? would we say im going swimming so therefore it would have two meanings
swimming-to swim in water
swimming-to fish
and that ,my dear questioner, is why a fish is called a fish
lol
2007-09-12 10:07:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If we used your theory we would have to call and Orange an orange because it is.....shoot, never mind.
2007-09-12 09:00:07 · answer #9 · answered by Songbyrd JPA ✡ 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
because we have borrowed words from various languages and stages of our own language thru time.
2007-09-12 09:08:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋