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Krill

2 stages from Norwegian to English.

Today it means small shrimp-like marine crustaceans that are a key food source for whales

Where does the word "krill" come from? It comes from Norwegian kril, adopted directly into English (1886 onward).

1
Stage 1 of 2
kril
Norwegian · 1800s
"small fry of fish"
a whalers' term for the tiny creatures whales feed on
2
Stage 2 of 2
krill
English · 1886 onward
"tiny shrimp-like marine crustaceans"
adopted by English-speaking whalers and scientists for the shrimp-like crustaceans
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