The Naming of Animals - by Adrian Room (Paperback)

About the Book

Humankind have long viewed animals as if they shared human characteristics. Naturally this view is expressed in the naming of the beloved family pet, a farm animal, a race horse, an exotic bird, an insect, or any other animal.

Book Synopsis

Humankind have long viewed animals as if they shared human characteristics. Naturally this view is expressed in the naming of the beloved family pet, a farm animal, a race horse, an exotic bird, an insect, or any other animal.

Arranged by type of name (genetic, descriptive, incident, link, group, pedigree and show, horse and hound, farm, famous, mythical and legendary, and fictional), this is a reference to how people name animals. For each type there is an introductory section followed by numerous examples with the stories behind the particular name.

Review Quotes

"fascinating reading for animal lovers"-Booklist; "a handy source of reference on the name of famous animals, whether real or fictional"-The Year's Work in English Studies.

About the Author

The late Adrian Room was a noted toponymist and onomastician. The author of more than 50 reference books about words and names, he lived in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England.