Wednesday, March 14, 2012

What's the origin of the word javelina?


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: javelina name origin

Why: I was admiring some art from Draw Something (are you playing? I can't get enough. We literally lie in bed drawing and laughing and cornholing except Buster) when I spotted this:



which made me think of this:



Pagoda! Where's my javelina?

and subsequently this:



There you are.

Answer: It's a topic of debate! But here is a pretty good theory:
  • It comes from the Spanish word jabali, "wild boar." A jabalina is a "wild sow."
  • That term comes from the Arabic term khinzīr jabalīy, "mountain pig." A jabal is a mountain.
Another option: What it may come from (but probably not) is the word javelin. Javelinas have sharp teeth, don't it.



Source: Some person's page about javelinas

The More You Know: Other beautiful names for the javelina include peccary and skunk pig.

Bonus screenshot: Wherein James and I discuss "RuPaul's Drag Race" and his experiences with peccaries in Guatemala:


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