Walrus
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2023 2:19 am
You know, that large marine mammal related to the seals found in the Arctic Ocean, and of course, with the large downward-pointing tusks.
Easy enough, but where does the word "walrus" come from? The Old English term was morse. Walrus only appeared in the early 18th century, apparently derived from the Old Norse hrosshvair, "horse-whale," which also influenced the Dutch walrus. Why all the twisty word borrowing when Old English had a perfectly good term?
Easy enough, but where does the word "walrus" come from? The Old English term was morse. Walrus only appeared in the early 18th century, apparently derived from the Old Norse hrosshvair, "horse-whale," which also influenced the Dutch walrus. Why all the twisty word borrowing when Old English had a perfectly good term?