Definition of the word walrus

The word "walrus" has an interesting etymology that dates back to the Viking Age. The word is believed to have originated from the Old Norse language, in which it was spelled "hrosshrýgar" or "hrýmr." This Original manuscript has been lost, but a contemporary record from around 1200 AD, known as the Orkneyinga Saga, notes the same phrase to describe the creature. The meaning of "hrosshrýgar" or "hrýmr" is somewhat disputed, but the most commonly accepted interpretation is that it translates to "horse armpits," which refers to the walrus' distinctive tusks, which are shaped like bent horse legs, or the pronunciation might be "horse-armour," as the Old Norse word "hrýmr" could also mean "shout" or "thunder," possibly alluding to the sound of the tusks underwater. As the word made its way into the English language, various spellings and pronunciations emerged. By the mid-16th century, "walrus" was the preferred term by English speakers, likely originating from the Dutch word "walvisch," which means "whale-horse" or "sea-horse." This might have been an attempt to distinguish the two marine mammals in relation to their hunting uses, as the English word "whale" was already established to describe larger marine mammals like baleen whales. In summary, the word "walrus" comes from the Old Norse "hrosshrýgar," meaning "horse armpits," referring to the walrus' tusks, which made their way into English through the Dutch word "walvisch."