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It is a common myth that the word "kangaroo" means "I don't understand what you're saying". The legend goes that early Australian settlers reportedly asked the indigenous people what the hopping creature was called. The native replied 'kangaru' which in his language meant 'I don't know' or 'I don't understand'.

According to reliable sources, the word "kangaroo" is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word gangurru, a Guugu Yimidhirr word referring to the Grey Kangaroo. Captain James Cook's botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, first recorded the word as "kangaru" when the Endeavour was damaged on the Great Barrier Reef near modern-day Cooktown, and required the crew to stay on the mainland for almost 7 weeks repairing their ship. This gave Banks ample time to make copious notes on the fauna and flora, and to be certain of the Aboriginal word for kangaroo, even though he had trouble translating it into written form.

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12y ago
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12y ago

The word "kangaroo" does not mean anything. It is a complete myth that it translates to "I don't understand your question" or "I don't know what you're saying".

The word is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word gangurru, a Guugu Yimidhirr word referring to the Grey Kangaroo. Captain James Cook's botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, first recorded the word as "kangaru" when the Endeavour was damaged on the Great Barrier Reef near modern-day Cooktown.

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10y ago

The Australian flag does not have a kangaroo on it.

The Australian coat of arms has a kangaroo and an emu, both of which are believed to have been included as neither has ever been recorded as taking a backward step - hence, "Advance Australia". While there is considerable dispute over the veracity of this statement, it remains the reason why (according to the government website) these creatures were included on the coat of arms.

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16y ago

Kangaroo originates from the word, ganurra - used by the aborigines from Queensland, Australia

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15y ago

Sometimes one will see a "kangaroo sign" on roads - this warns that kangaroos may be encountered on the road ahead for the next few kilometres.

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Q: What does the aboriginal word for kangaroo mean?
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Is the word kangaroo from Australia?

Yes. The word "kangaroo" is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word gangurru, a Guugu Yimidhirr word referring to the Grey Kangaroo.


What does a kangaroo's name mean?

The word 'kangaroo' does not mean anything.It is merely the word used by various aboriginal tribes to describe the largest marsupial.Various myths include that it means (in aboriginal dialect):I don't understand what you're sayingThat's your index fingerNone of these, however, is true. The scientific name for the kangaroo family is Macropodidae. "Macropod" means big-footed.


What does the name kangaroo mean?

The grey kangaroo's name does not mean anything. It is simply the word used by various aboriginal tribes to refer to this animal.Various myths which are untrue include that it means (in aboriginal dialect):I don't understand what you're sayingThat's your index fingerThe scientific name for the kangaroo family is Macropodidae. "Macropod" means big-footed.


What does the grey kangaroo's name mean?

The grey kangaroo's name does not mean anything. It is simply the word used by various aboriginal tribes to refer to this animal.Various myths which are untrue include that it means (in aboriginal dialect):I don't understand what you're sayingThat's your index fingerThe scientific name for the kangaroo family is Macropodidae. "Macropod" means big-footed.


What is kangaroo in aboriginal language?

There are many words for kangaroo in the Australian aboriginal language. The Aborigines of Australia had over 250 languages between their 600+ cultural groups prior to European settlement.The most commonly known word is gangurru. It is the word from which "kangaroo" is derived.


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What is the aboriginal name for the red kangaroo?

This depended on the locality in Australia and the aboriginal tribe.The word "kangaroo" itself is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word gangurru, a Guugu Yimidhirr word referring to the Grey Kangaroo. Captain James Cook's botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, first recorded the word as "kangaru" when the Endeavour was damaged on the Great Barrier Reef near modern-day Cooktown, and required the crew to stay on the mainland for almost 7 weeks repairing their ship.Other tribes had different names for the kangaroo, and different words for different species of kangaroo. Some of these other words included:badagarangbanggaraibuduruwulabawularu