gopher etymology

Etymology and Origin of the Word "Gopher"

The term "gopher" has multiple origins and meanings, depending on its context:

1. Burrowing Rodent (North America):

• Origin: Algonquian languages (e.g., Ojibwe, Menominee)
• Meaning: "he who dives"
• Refers to various burrowing rodents, including pocket gophers, ground squirrels, and prairie dogs.

2. Wood (Bible):

• Origin: Hebrew toponym gopher
• Meaning: Uncertain; possibly "cypress" or another type of durable wood for shipbuilding.
• Appears in the story of Noah's Ark in the Bible (Genesis 6:14).

3. Torpedo Boat (Naval Term):

• Origin: 19th-century American slang
• Meaning: Small, fast vessel
• The term "gopher" was used to describe early torpedo boats due to their similarity to the shape of the small, burrowing rodents.

4. Computer Program:

• Origin: Unix operating system
• Meaning: Software designed to tunnel through and create secure connections across networks.
• The name was inspired by the burrowing capabilities of gophers.

Other Meanings:

In some contexts, "gopher" can also refer to:

• A tropical fish with a mottled appearance
• A slang term for a person who is considered a fool or an idiot
• A type of poker variant

gopher relate terms

• gofer

  Etymology The word gofer is derived from the Hebrew word gopher גֹּפֶר whi

• gopher

  Etymology and Origin of the Word Gopher The term gopher has multiple origins and mean

• cypress

  Etymology The word cypress comes from the Latin word cypressus which is derived from

• American

  Etymology The word American derives from the name Amerigo which is the Italian and L

• squirrel

  Etymology and Meaning The word squirrel is derived from the Middle English word squir

• tortoise

  Etymology The word tortoise is derived from the Old French word tortoise which in tu

• pocket

  Etymology Middle English poket meaning a small bag or sack Old French poquete f

• ground

  Etymology The word ground has several origins Old English grund meaning soil

• curry

  Etymology The word curry is derived from the Tamil word kari which means sauce or

• confidence

  Etymology Confidence derives from the Latin word confidere meaning to trust fully

• team

  Etymology The word team originates from the Middle English word teme which means a