Etymology Map
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Brolga

2 stages from Gamilaraay to English.

Today it means a large grey Australian crane known for its dancing display

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

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