THE MANY NAMES OF CAVIES

These are the different names of cavies in other countries-and their meanings

• In Germany, people call them MEERSCHWEINCHEN, meaning a small animal that has rounded contours. SCHWEINCHEN means short legs, sagging belly, and squeals. MEER means sea, ocean, and probably refers to the guinea pig's place of origin on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. But it could possibly mean carrots also.
• In Holland, first it was called MEERZWIJN, and then the name changed to GUINEES BIGGETJE, because they were sold for the high price of one guinea, and English coin that is no longer in cirulation.
• The French call the cavy COCHON D'INDE which means "pig of India".
• In Spanish, guinea pig is CONEJILLO DE INDIAS, which means "little rabbit of India", which is closest to this animal's zooligical classification as a member of the rodent family.

I got this information from the book called "Guinea Pigs", part of the Family Pet Series by Katrin Behrend. When I first read it, I found it VERY interesting and informative!!

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