I recently learned that the French Canadian word for a Canada goose is “bernache,” which literally means “barnacle.” (Because it was once believed they hatched from barnacles).
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I once read that in medieval times, during the religious fasting period with eating meat being prohibited, a bunch of animals still have been eaten - e.g. beaver swims in water --> fish (no meat).
And one of those ‘exceptions’ where also barnacle geese, as they were believed to hatch from barncales under water, they were also declared as being ‘fish’. Other goose species apparently did not suffer that fate. Don’t know if that is a true fact, but a nice story nevertheless
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Cool!
So the predilection for declaring as fact that which suits us is not a new thing, the rule makers of old had it down to a fine art!
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In the Americas manatees were considered fish for Lent as well.
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maybe they held off on calling them sea cows so no steak imagery was invoked.
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