Turtle names
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Dear all, I ever wondered of the so many names that you use for turles in USA. Turtles, terrapins, tortoises, sliders, cooters, sawbacks, stinkpots, etc… But of course, you have more that 40 species. It seems that the word “terrapin” (or “terrapen”) came from an old indian ameridian word meaning “edible turtle”, so it is quite logical that it applies now mainly to Malaclemys, considered as the most delicious one. The other words in use, turtles and tortoises, both come from the French word “tortues”. In the French part of Europe, it just occurs 3 turtles species, “tortue de mer” (sea turtle) for Caretta caretta, “tortue d’eau” (water turtle) for Emys orbicularis, and “tortue” (turtle) for Testudo hermanni. That’s all, that’s very simple and it does not need a lot of words. I would like better to have plenty of turtles and hundred names. A nice story now. I remember, long ago, I was discussing with an old retired kabyle soldier of the French army in North Africa. I’ll try to make it in English. The old soldier “As yu ‘re teacher, d’yu kn’w what ‘s a TRRT ?” Me “WHAT ? I don’t understand”. Old soldier “Yeah, ‘ts a b’st l’ving ‘n b’sh, w’th f’r legs, ‘ts a TRRT” Me “A yes, you will mean a TURTLE”. Old soldier “Yea, ‘ts wh’t I said, a TRRT’. So, you know a new name for turtle, a TRRT. (Pronounce the “RR” like in the Spanish “tortuga”, if you can.) Bye, Pierre —————————————————————————————————————- Prof. Pierre Rasmont Universitͩ de Mons Laboratoire de Zoologie Place du Parc 20 B-7000 Mons (Belgium) tel:+32 65 37 34 37
Pierre, this was certainly an enjoyable read! Thank you for sharing! 😉 Karen
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