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Cockatoo

Posted by Shae on September 17, 2004

In Reply to: Cockatoo posted by Kristine on September 17, 2004

: I live near Cockatoo in Victoria, Australia. Is it an aboriginal name or a settlers idea of putting two chickens on the table, rather than the usual one?

The Online Etymology Dictionary comes to the rescue again:

cockatoo
1616, from Du. kaketoe, from Malay kakatua, possibly echoic, or from kakak "elder brother or sister" + tua "old." Also cockatiel , from Du. dim. kaketielje , which is perhaps influenced by Portuguese.

budgerigar
1847, from Native Australian, lit. "good cockatoo," from budgeri "good" + gar "cockatoo."

www.etymonline.com

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