FAQ
A contribution of The Cephalopod Page
| Question: |
|---|
| Why are cuttlefish called cuttlefish? We have asked all over including the Monterey Bay Aquarium and have not received an adequate answer. |
| Answer: |
| I had to ask for help on this one so I reached out one of my many arms and posted the following to ceph-list. Once again, our hero, Dr. Octopus (insert coughing, laughing, etc.) has been stumped by a 9 year old (insert tragically sad music). All she wants to know is why are cuttlefish called cuttlefish and I and others she's asked haven't a clue. I'm NOT asking what makes a cuttlefish a cuttlefish or defines their taxa (THOSE questions I can and do answer in my sleep even in Bonaire over Roland's snoring) but simply want to know who came up with the name and why (if this is even known?). Armed with a reply from John Forsythe, I was able to answer this question(insert music from Rocky IV). Dear Hill Family, It has taken some time as I have been in Micronesia where people actually eat dog and email is slow, unreliable, and it's mere existence is a small miracle. Plus, as you know, your daughter's question stumped quite a few of us. Anyway, I do indeed have an answer for her. This is from John W. Forsythe a cephalopod Research Scientist at the National Resource Center for Cephalopods. "The name Cuttlefish originally came about as the best guess of how to spell or pronounce the Dutch or perhaps Norwegian name for these beasts. It is derived from something like 'codele-fische' or 'kodle-fische'. In German today, cuttlefish and squids are called tintenfische, meaning ink-fish. I've been told that the term fische actually refers to any creature that lives in the sea or are caught in nets when fishing, not just fishes. Anyway, that's what I understand the derivation of name to be." Dear Dr. Octopus (Wood), Thank you so much for finally answering Chelsea's question, she is totally thrilled. And of course you can include the question in your FAQ page! Chelsea feels quite honored that you would want to include it. Someone should forwarded this information to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, they responded to the question with a lot of terminology that none of us really understood, and then at the end of their correspondence they said that they really didn't have a clue as to where the name cuttlefish came about. It has been quite exciting for the whole family hearing from you! We thank you very, very much! May God Always Bless You Very Richly for your dedication to your work and time and dedication to all of us asking you these questions. Sincerely, Mrs. Hill and especially Chelsea Hill :) |