[Lexicog] water-dwelling rodent (capybara) rebaptized as fish

[MAA Shyuejinn]

> There is a story I remember that a rodent in
Venezuela or somewhere in that part of the world
spends all its time in the water

This is a reference to the capybara, a water-dwelling
rodent which which was declared a fish so that its
flesh could be eaten during Lent:

The standard, widely-copied reference is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capybara

A capybara enthusiast provides lots of pictures and
more details here:
http://www.rebsig.com/capybara/

This has given rise to a Spanish joke about a recent
Catholic convert who is visited by a priest on a
Friday. Upon being rebuked by a priest for roasting a
lamb on Friday, the convert replies:

"No problem, Father. Me put river water on head and
day: 'Now you name not lamb. You name fish!"

This joke has been adopted and modified by English
speakers. One version appears here:
http://www.jfjonline.org/pub/havurah/02-05Feb99/takingplunge.htm

Robert MATTHEWS
[laomaa2001] [yahoo.com] Put an AT in between


		
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