dibbler

[prettygoodword]

dibbler (DIB-lr) - n., a small mouse-like marsupial (Parantechinus apicalis) of southwestn Australia.


Also, a person or tool that dibbles, but that's not important right now. The dibbler looks very similar to an antechinus, and indeed for a long time was classified as one, but was deemed a member of a separate genus in the 1940s -- and the name of the genus is para-, like + antechinus. The dibbler name is an adaptation into English of djil-yoor, its name in a Noongar/Nyungar language (again).


And that wraps up a week of various marsupials -- back to the usual mix next week.

---L.

Comments

[ranunculus]

Dibbler is significantly different from a dibbler also dibber, which is a small tool for making a hole for planting things.

[full_metal_ox]

And none of the above should be confused with Sir PTerry’s gleefully opportunistic street huckster, Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler.

[prettygoodword]

As I said, that sense isn't important for these (thematic) purposes.

[prettygoodword]

I almost disclaimered him, but chickened out during Preview.