Talk Wordy to Me: Animal Words That Slay🐁🗡️

Ever caught yourself saying “I pulled a muscle” and wondered—wait, did I just say mouse?! Let’s dive into some wild etymologies where animals secretly snuck into our vocab. It’s giving National Geographic meets English class.

1. Muscle – Literally a Tiny Mouse??
Yep, muscle comes from Latin musculus, aka “little mouse” because ancient Romans thought flexing looked like mice under the skin.
So next time you flex, just know… you’re showing off your squeaky bois.
Mouse ➡ musculus ➡ muscle
Flexin’ = Mice Vibes
Emoji combo: bicep + mouse = 💪🐭

2. Computer Mouse – Tech Rodent Alert
Why do we call it a mouse? Because it’s small, has a tail (aka cord), and kinda scurries across your desk.
Iconic rodent behavior.
Emoji: 🖱️🐀

3. Hippopotamus – River Horse Energy
Greek hippos = horse, potamos = river.
Boom: hippopotamus = “river horse.”
Big, thicc, and kinda vibey in the water.
Emoji: 🦛 + 🐎 + 🌊

4. Porcupine – The Spiky Pig
Latin porcus = pig, spina = spine.
So yeah, porcupine is just a fancy way of saying “thorny pig.”
Don't cuddle. Just don’t.
Emoji: 🐷🦔

5. Coward – Tail-Tucked Energy
Comes from Latin cauda = tail.
A coward is someone who turns tail and runs.
Basically, it’s the ✨fight or flight✨ and you chose ✈️.
Emoji: 🐓➡️🏃‍♂️💨

6. Capricious – Goat Girl Era
Latin capra = goat.
To be capricious means you’re moody, unpredictable, and a little chaotic.
Just like a goat on a mountain cliff—living its best unbothered life.
Emoji: 🐐 + mood swings = 🤪

7. Feline, Canine, Bovine – Adjective Drop

• Feline = cat energy

• Canine = doggo vibes

• Bovine = moo-core
  Basically: personality types but make it animal-coded.
  Emoji: 🐱🐶🐮

8. Bug – Ghosts, Beetles & Code Gremlins
Once meant creepy ghosts (bugge), but evolved into those lil’ crawlies and then... broken code.
You’ve been haunted AND hacked.
Emoji: 👻➡️🐞➡️💻

9. Avocado – This One’s Wild…
Nahuatl āhuacatl = “testicle.”
Not an animal, but def body part-coded. Nature had jokes.
So yeah, your avo toast? Slightly sus.
Emoji: 🥑😳

10. Bonus Confusion: Ostracize ≠ Ostrich
Ostracize comes from Greek ostrakon = pottery shards used to vote people out.
Basically: Ancient Greek cancel culture.
Emoji: 🏺🚫🧍

That’s All, Folks (For Now)
Animal roots be lurking in our everyday lingo—and we’re here for the drama.
Next time someone calls you “catty” or “dogged,” just smirk and say,
“It’s etymology, babe.”