General Discussion

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)

1. It's a taxonomic thing

Sat Jun 2, 2012, 03:07 AM

Jun 2012

Basically the words mean the same thing - Bison being a greek word for "large ox-like thing" and Buffalo being a derivative of the French word for "large ox-like thing"

The buffaloes of Asia were called "buffalo" before their American cousins, and so they get to keep the term, while the American buffalo, to avoid confusion with critters it's only somewhat related to, was rechristened "bison."

Which is weird, when you think about it, since a more appropriate name would have been "American Wisent" but then you'd have to explain what a wisent is, and then people start staring blankly at you...

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When did the American buffalo disappear and become bison? [View all] Kablooie Jun 2012 OP

It's a taxonomic thing Scootaloo Jun 2012 #1

+ Infinity...because this is the best explanation ever. vaberella Jun 2012 #12

I looked it up. Now I have to look up auroch. rug Jun 2012 #32

That word... Xyzse Jun 2012 #33

Screw it. I'm just going to start referring to Romney as that lare ox-like thing. rug Jun 2012 #34

It's also the scientific name... GoCubsGo Jun 2012 #14

I was amazed when I learned that Europe has their own bison species. Odin2005 Jun 2012 #18

I've seen the European bison at a preserve over there RZM Jun 2012 #19

Well-loved... Sure Scootaloo Jun 2012 #24

Well, water buffalo are native to Asia Art_from_Ark Jun 2012 #2

The buffalo got all politically correct. cthulu2016 Jun 2012 #3

If all that is factual, it's probably the most interesting thing I've ever read on DU Egalitariat Jun 2012 #4

Check this out. A very good read. Monk06 Jun 2012 #7

and also, 1491: New Revelations in America Before Columbus Viva_La_Revolution Jun 2012 #9

They were called buffalo, but were never buffalo... joeybee12 Jun 2012 #5

I still call them buffalo - but I buy bison at the store. Nt xchrom Jun 2012 #6

I've found that elk makes better burgers slackmaster Jun 2012 #11

Agree - elk is very good. I have shop on line xchrom Jun 2012 #15

i made bison\beef mealoaf last week.. delish. dionysus Jun 2012 #31

their still buffalo in SD newfie11 Jun 2012 #8

+1 Go Vols Jun 2012 #40

It happened about the same time the potato famine completely wiped out the species slackmaster Jun 2012 #10

Huh? The potato species has never been threatened with extinction NickB79 Jun 2012 #21

Actually, it was just one species in Ireland Scootaloo Jun 2012 #25

As an avid gardener, thank you for that information NickB79 Jun 2012 #27

Species vs. variety L. Coyote Jun 2012 #38

Yup, Solanum tuberosum is the widespread cultivar species Scootaloo Jun 2012 #42

You've been taken in by one of the most elaborate shams in history slackmaster Jun 2012 #26

We're talking about basically four types of animals in this thread, no? aint_no_life_nowhere Jun 2012 #13

Yes, there are 4 species in this muriel_volestrangler Jun 2012 #29

And the aurochs, which *was* hunted to extinction (nt) Mairead Jun 2012 #41

Don't know. Read a history of my great great aunt's brother in law. He worked in a trading post applegrove Jun 2012 #16

I'm a stickler who gets annoyed when bison are called buffalo. Odin2005 Jun 2012 #17

I am fairly sure that Buffalo is correct whistler162 Jun 2012 #28

It was Manifest Destiny. Hunters, period. daaron Jun 2012 #20

"Give me a home, where the bison roam....." Doesn't have the same ring. nt msanthrope Jun 2012 #22

So, what's all this I hear about bison wings? I didn't know bison had wings .. kwassa Jun 2012 #23

In my area they were originally called Tatanka blockhead Jun 2012 #30

Wait until you hear what happened to the brontosaurus. FSogol Jun 2012 #35

Yes, and to Pluto slackmaster Jun 2012 #36

When did the American buffalo disappear and become bison? Joseph28 Jun 2012 #37

When will the American Republican disappear and become extinct? L. Coyote Jun 2012 #39