Does Kangaroo Mean I Don't Know?

Growing up, I learnt the story of how the kangaroo got his name. When Captain Cook first arrived in Australia and saw the kangaroos hopping around, they asked the Aboriginals what the animals were called. The local people answered, "Kanguru", meaning that they didn't understand what was being said to them. Captain Cook and his men thought that it was the name of the animal and it has then evolved into Kangaroo.

Outback Australian Kangaroo at Sunset by giftsbonanza

However, this story is actually untrue, although many Australians today believe it to be the truth. The word kangaroo actually derives from the word gangurru from the local people of the area where Captain Cook had stopped, the Guugu Yimithirr, and it is the word for the Grey Kangaroo in their language. Captain Cook recorded the name of these unsual animals as either "kangooroo or kanguru".

K is for Kangaroo

Kangaroos are marsupials which are native to Australia - in fact, many people from other countries actually believe that there are kangaroos hopping down the main streets of the major cities in Australia. I can say, with considerable knowledge on the subject matter, that this is generally not the case.

K is Kangaroo Post Cards by popartminis
View other Kangaroo Gifts

Kangaroos are unusual looking creatures and are incredibly cute subjects for drawings and art. Today we are featuring a small range of gifts featuring kangaroos. So sweet!