Grouper question...

[KBulla]

I'm taking the Florida Master Naturalist courses and did a 2-minute talk on the goliath grouper. One of my fellow naturalists-in-training asked me why the grouper is called the grouper. I had no idea... I guessed that it was because they "group" together? Do any of you have any idea? I know they get together in large groups when they spawn, but a lot of fish do that.

Looking forward to your feedback!

~Kris

 

[Oceandvr]

According to Wikipedia: The word "grouper" comes from Portuguese "garoupa", and not from the English word "group." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grouper
Which really doesn't answer the question, but common names are harder to distinguish as they are typically locality based. And their Latin names probably have more do with their description.

I'll ask my fish scientist pals and see if there's an answer...

 

[devolution365]

The word "grouper" comes from Portuguese "garoupa", and not from the English word group.

From wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grouper

Now, if you go to Google Translate and translate "garoupa" from Portuguese to English you get "Grouper" (dead end).

Perhaps it just is. :yinyang:

 

[Oceandvr]

According to the FWRI's sea stats (http://research.myfwc.com/engine/do...upers0605_2521.pdf&objid=-1527&dltype=product): "The word "grouper" is thought to be a corruption of the Portuguese "garoupa" a name given to a perch-like fish found in Portugal."

Erica - you're probably right....it just is.

 

[Missdirected]

Well I did something similar to the previous poster. I put in "grouper, name, derived, from". Google came up with a few things - this is one.

The origin of the fish's name is unclear, too. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the fish was so clean, it was considered ultra-kosher, the Jewish dietary law.

Webster's Dictionary, however, says jewfish may be derived from giupesce, Italian for "bottom fish." After getting hooked, it's known to drop to the bottom of the water.

Some locals say it evolved from "jawfish" because the goliath grouper, which can weigh up to 700 pounds, has a large mouth.

It was also said the namecame from the actual fisher man who's head was rather large as well as his mouth. Sounds suspect but you never know. I have heard stranger things that have been fact. Perhaps you could say that noone really knows for a fact, then give them some of the funny ideas people have. sorry, I tried. Why not ask that science guy on the board- Archie? He has helped me before.

-Tracy :06:

 

[CBulla]

From wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grouper

Now, if you go to Google Translate and translate "garoupa" from Portuguese to English you get "Grouper" (dead end).

Perhaps it just is. :yinyang:

I searched around this morning some trying to figure this out.... why? Cause Kris (KBulla asked me this question yesterday and I jokingly said "cause thats how they make babies... its a GROUPER effort!" and of course now I'm wondering... this "Garoupa" thing showed up again and again.. I think its more to it and will be found sooner or later...

 

[KBulla]

I appreciate your help on this one. I can chew on the Portuguese "garoupa" theory for a bit. I can also dig the fact that it is what it is. :14:

If anyone else has any other ideas, please feel free to add to it. And if Archie has some additional thoughts, great!

Thanks again!

Kris

 

[Missdirected]

Kris,

I have decided I have a bone to pick with you. Just kidding That grouper thing is bugging me now. My ex is British and he once asked me where the word bangs came from. Drove me batty for ages until I found the answer. (In England one's bangs - the typically short part of your hair that covers one's forehead - is called the fringe.) I did send a PM to Archman - so maybe we will hear something from him.

 

[Oceandvr]

One of my colleagues, a fisheries scientist, told me that "Garrupa" (versus Garoupa) refers to a lot of different bottomfishes (rockfishes, groupers, darters). Which suggests that it's based on their location versus congregation. If I hear of anything more, I'll post it.

 

[KBulla]

Why do we call bangs "bangs"? Now I have to know! Fringe I can understand, but bangs?