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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Walfisch - whalefish?

Okay, I know a whale is not a fish, so no biology lessons, please. Emotion: smile But once in a while one comes across the colloquial term "Walfisch" especially with children. My question to all native English speakers: Do British/American children ever make that mistak, i. e. call a whale a "whalefish" or something similar? And could one translated the intentedly used "Walfisch" like that and be certain that a (child) reader would understand the joke?

Thanks to everyone in advance. Emotion: smile Gabi
  

Top answer

There is a real species of fish, the whalefish. It is a strange fish, but not a whale! And, yes for very young (three-year old) children, the term whalefish might be used in story books to refer to a very large animal that jumps and spouts water.

— AlpheccaStars

  • There is a real species of fish, the whalefish.
  • It is a strange fish, but not a whale!
  • And, yes for very young (three-year old) children, the term whalefish might be used in story books to refer to a very large animal that jumps and spouts water.
  • org/wiki/Whalefish
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3 Answers
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There is a real species of fish, the whalefish. It is a strange fish, but not a whale!
And, yes for very young (three-year old) children, the term whalefish might be used in story books to refer to a very large animal that jumps and spouts water.

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thanks @AlpheccaStars, i found those whalefish as well - creepy-looking guys, wouldn't want this in a children's book. Emotion: smile
it's act
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It's in the best of traditions of Geisel's classic Mulberry Street. Emotion: big smile
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