brolga

Where does the word "brolga" come from? It comes from Gamilaraay burralga, and was adopted directly into English (1890s).

Brolga’s story begins in Gamilaraay: burralga meant “brolga crane.” The crane famous for its leaping courtship dance, which Aboriginal groups imitate in their own brolga dances. It reached English by 1890s as brolga. Taken from Gamilaraay of northern New South Wales; Queensland adopted the brolga as its official bird emblem in 1986. Today, brolga means a large grey Australian crane known for its dancing display.

1. Stage 1 · Gamilaraay · 1800s burralga "brolga crane", the crane famous for its leaping courtship dance, which Aboriginal groups imitate in their own brolga dances.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1890s brolga "Australian crane", taken from Gamilaraay of northern New South Wales; Queensland adopted the brolga as its official bird emblem in 1986.