aardvark etymology

Etymology

The word "aardvark" comes from the Afrikaans language and is derived from the words "aard" (meaning "earth") and "vark" (meaning "pig").

Meaning

Aardvark means "earth pig" and refers to the animal's distinctive appearance and burrowing habits.

Origin

The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is a nocturnal, burrowing mammal found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only living species in its genus and family. The aardvark's closest living relatives are elephants and sea cows.

The word "aardvark" was first used in English in the late 18th century. It was initially spelled "earthvark" but was later changed to "aardvark" to reflect the Afrikaans pronunciation.

The aardvark is a fascinating animal with a unique name that reflects its unusual characteristics and African origins.

aardvark relate terms

  • earth

    Etymology The word earth derives from the Old English word eorþe which itself is d

  • farrow

    Etymology Old English fearh meaning pig Meaning A farrow is a litter of pigs es

  • aardvark

    Etymology The word aardvark comes from the Afrikaans language and is derived from the w

  • ground hog

    Etymology Ground refers to the animal s habit of living in burrows underground Hog

  • bear

    Etymology and Origin of Bear Proto Indo European PIE bʰr̥tos or bʰortós meanin

  • left

    Etymology The word left comes from the Old English word lyft meaning weak or wo

  • zilch

    Etymology and Origin The word zilch originated in the German language where it was fir

  • obey

    Etymology Old French obéir Latin obedire Ob meaning towards audire meaning t

  • Rubicon

    Etymology The word Rubicon is derived from the Latin phrase rubico flumine which mea

  • iris

    Etymology Greek íris Meaning Rainbow Messenger of the gods Goddess of the rainb

  • corroborate

    Etymology Latin corrobōrāre con together with roborāre to strengthen

  • salary

    Etymology The word salary comes from the Latin word salarium which originally refer

  • earth

    Etymology The word earth derives from the Old English word eorþe which itself is d

  • farrow

    Etymology Old English fearh meaning pig Meaning A farrow is a litter of pigs es

  • aardvark

    Etymology The word aardvark comes from the Afrikaans language and is derived from the w

  • ground hog

    Etymology Ground refers to the animal s habit of living in burrows underground Hog

  • bear

    Etymology and Origin of Bear Proto Indo European PIE bʰr̥tos or bʰortós meanin

  • left

    Etymology The word left comes from the Old English word lyft meaning weak or wo

  • zilch

    Etymology and Origin The word zilch originated in the German language where it was fir

  • obey

    Etymology Old French obéir Latin obedire Ob meaning towards audire meaning t

  • Rubicon

    Etymology The word Rubicon is derived from the Latin phrase rubico flumine which mea

  • iris

    Etymology Greek íris Meaning Rainbow Messenger of the gods Goddess of the rainb

  • corroborate

    Etymology Latin corrobōrāre con together with roborāre to strengthen

  • salary

    Etymology The word salary comes from the Latin word salarium which originally refer