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Tweeted twitter.com/StackEnglish/status/743695440248332288
Updated to reflect what research I've already done and to clear up things that are already understood
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AberrantWolf
AberrantWolf
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How did the termsterm "crayfish" andbecome "crawdad" diverge? Is one more correct?

I am given to understand that "crawdad" and "crayfish" refer to the same creature (or group of creatures resembling small lobsters that live in freshwater), and that the difference is dialectical.

Are these terms related at some origin? What caused them to become divergent? Is one closer or truerAccording to an original term thanWikipedia, "crayfish" becomes "crawfish" in parts of the otherUS (1), but what brought on the "-dad" ending change?

How did the terms "crayfish" and "crawdad" diverge? Is one more correct?

I am given to understand that "crawdad" and "crayfish" refer to the same creature (or group of creatures resembling small lobsters that live in freshwater), and that the difference is dialectical.

Are these terms related at some origin? What caused them to become divergent? Is one closer or truer to an original term than the other?

How did the term "crayfish" become "crawdad"?

I am given to understand that "crawdad" and "crayfish" refer to the same creature (or group of creatures resembling small lobsters that live in freshwater), and that the difference is dialectical.

According to Wikipedia, "crayfish" becomes "crawfish" in parts of the US (1), but what brought on the "-dad" ending change?

Source Link
AberrantWolf
AberrantWolf
  • 178
  • 1
  • 2
  • 9

How did the terms "crayfish" and "crawdad" diverge? Is one more correct?

I am given to understand that "crawdad" and "crayfish" refer to the same creature (or group of creatures resembling small lobsters that live in freshwater), and that the difference is dialectical.

Are these terms related at some origin? What caused them to become divergent? Is one closer or truer to an original term than the other?