Why are hamsters called hamsters?

[Eki]

I was eating my Christmas ham and started to wonder why hamsters are called hamsters. Is it because they are a bit like guinea pigs?

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I predict a 2000 post thread to solve this problem?

Hamsters were name after Richard Hammond

[Ian McC]

Why is an orange and orange and a banana not a yellow :D

[Eki]

Was Hamlet's name Piglet before he died?

[tintin]

The word Hamster comes from the Old High German, Hamustro

[J4MIE]

I believe that Gineau Pigs need a bit more garlic than ham to be served up on a plate :D

[EuroTroll]

There's the wonderful Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/) to help solve mysteries of this nature. For example,

hamster
1607, from Ger. Hamster, from M.H.G. hamastra "hamster," probably from O.C.S. chomestoru "hamster" (the animal is native to S.E. Europe), perhaps a blend of Rus. chomiak and Lith. staras, both meaning "hamster." The older Eng. name for it was German rat.

orange
c.1300, from O.Fr. orenge (12c.), from M.L. pomum de orenge, from It. arancia, originally narancia (Venetian naranza), alt. of Ar. naranj, from Pers. narang, from Skt. naranga-s "orange tree," of uncertain origin. Loss of initial n- probably due to confusion with definite article (e.g. une narange, una narancia), but perhaps infl. by Fr. or "gold." The tree's original range probably was northern India. The Persian orange, grown widely in southern Europe after its introduction in Italy 11c., was bitter; sweet oranges were brought to Europe 15c. from India by Portuguese traders and quickly displaced the bitter variety, but only Mod.Gk. still seems to distinguish the bitter (nerantzi) from the sweet (portokali "Portuguese") orange. Portuguese, Spanish, Arab, and Dutch sailors planted citrus trees along trade routes to prevent scurvy. On his second voyage in 1493, Christopher Columbus brought the seeds of oranges, lemons and citrons to Haiti and the Caribbean. Introduced in Florida (along with lemons) in 1513 by Sp. explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. Introduced to Hawaii 1792. Not used as the name of a color until 1542.

banana
1597, borrowed by Sp. or Port. from a W. African word, possibly Wolof banana. The plant introduced to the New World from Africa, 1516. Banana republic is from 1935. Bananas in the slang sense of "nuts" is first recorded 1935. Top banana, second banana, etc. are 1950s, from show business slang use of banana for "comedian, especially in a burlesque show." Banana split first attested 1920.

[RaceFanStan]

Ever wonder why they call it a hamburger when it contains no ham ? http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/orn/00.gif

[Eki]

Ever wonder why they call it a hamburger when it contains no ham ? http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/orn/00.gif
Well, some call a wiener frankfurter even when it contains no Frank.

[Roamy]

Eki
Ask Richard Gere

[Ian McC]

Oh dear, fousto is back :laugh:

[RaikkonenRules]

I was eating my Christmas ham and started to wonder why hamsters are called hamsters. Is it because they are a bit like guinea pigs?

Why are cats called cats? Why are trees called trees? Why are you called airhead? :p :

[RaikkonenRules]

Ever wonder why they call it a hamburger when it contains no ham ? http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/orn/00.gif


Well, some call a wiener frankfurter even when it contains no Frank.

I believe Hamburgers originated in Hamburg, Germany and Frankfurters originated in Frankfurt, Germany.

[Drew]

I believe Hamburgers originated in Hamburg, Germany and Frankfurters originated in Frankfurt, Germany.

I thought that about Hamburgers, but was told they were 'invented' in the USA :confused:

[Captain VXR]

Well, some call a wiener frankfurter even when it contains no Frank.

Frankfurters were invented in Frankfurt, Germany.
Hamburgers were invented in Hamburg, Germany.
Edit - d'oh, Raikkonen Rules beat me to it

[RaikkonenRules]

Frankfurters were invented in Frankfurt, Germany.
Hamburgers were invented in Hamburg, Germany.
Edit - d'oh, Raikkonen Rules beat me to it

:laugh: too slow Captain :s ailor:

[Eki]

Why are cats called cats? Why are trees called trees? Why are you called airhead? :p :
OK, since you're so smart, what do cats call hamsters?

[Drew]

OK, since you're so smart, what do cats call hamsters?

A delicacy.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

OK, since you're so smart, what do cats call hamsters?

Dinner!

[jso1985]

I thought that about Hamburgers, but was told they were 'invented' in the USA :confused:

From what I heard they were invented in the USA by a guy who came from Hamburg.

[RaikkonenRules]

Dinner!
:rotflmao:

[RaceFanStan]

I believe Hamburgers originated in Hamburg, Germany and Frankfurters originated in Frankfurt, Germany.
Does that mean french fries originated in France ? http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/orn/00.gif

[bowler]

Ever wonder why they call it a hamburger when it contains no ham ? http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/orn/00.gif

the minced meat was called "Hamburg" as it was used by German immigrants (from Hamburg) to USA. Stick it between buns after cooking, and call it a "hamburger"

[Hazell B]

Why are cats called cats?

Mine's called Nobby Numbnuts Depp. Only the Numbnuts part is a true descriptive :p : He's also known as Cooking Fat, but that's another story ;)

While we're on the subject, why are cars so called? Shouldn't it be autos? Or is it short for horseless carriages?

[Eki]

Mine's called Nobby Numbnuts Depp. Only the Numbnuts part is a true descriptive :p : He's also known as Cooking Fat, but that's another story ;)

Because he cooks?

[EuroTroll]

While we're on the subject, why are cars so called? Shouldn't it be autos? Or is it short for horseless carriages?

From the aforementioned Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/):

car
1301, "wheeled vehicle," from Norm.-Fr. carre, from L. carrum, carrus (pl. carra), orig. "two-wheeled Celtic war chariot," from Gaul. karros, from PIE *krsos, from base *kers- "to run." Extension to "automobile" is 1896. Car-sick first recorded 1908, on model of sea sick. U.S. carport is from 1939. Car bomb first 1972, in reference to Northern Ireland. Car pool is 1942 (n.), 1962 (v.).

[EuroTroll]

Does that mean french fries originated in France ? http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/orn/00.gif

It seems to be somewhat uncertain. More here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_fry).

Freedom fries on the other hand... :p :

[Alexamateo]

WHy do we drive on "parkways" and park on "driveways"? :confused: :p :

[veeten]

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=185&stc=1&d=1167238824

mmmmmm.... :lips: :D

[Azumanga Davo]

I was eating my Christmas ham and started to wonder why hamsters are called hamsters. Is it because they are a bit like guinea pigs?

Isn't Christmas dinner more of a time to reflect on more important issues of the day, like why a chemistry set instead of the special action man with the underwater tanks and flippers? :D