Roo
/ruː/noun
An informal English term for a kangaroo.
Did you know?The famous story that kangaroo means “I don’t know” is a later myth; the word was recorded by Captain Cook’s expedition from the Guugu Yimithirr language.
Etymological Timeline
Before 1770
Guugu Yimithirr
gangurru
“A large black or grey kangaroo; the original Aboriginal Australian term recorded by European explorers.”
1770
English transcription
kangooroo
“The form recorded during Captain Cook’s voyage on the Australian east coast.”
18th Century
English
kangaroo
“The Australian marsupial, adopted into English as a loanword.”
20th Century
Australian English
roo
“An informal shortened form of kangaroo.”
Modern English
English
roo
“A colloquial name for a kangaroo.”