This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/02/whale-vomit-ambergris-words
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| It's not 'whale vomit', it's ambergris. It's a nice word, and useful, so let's use it | It's not 'whale vomit', it's ambergris. It's a nice word, and useful, so let's use it |
| (12 days later) | |
| Ambergris is a beautiful and long-established word for a strange and unusual substance, produced in the digestive system of sperm whales, and eventually excreted through one of only two possible exits. It has been used since ancient times in the manufacture of perfume. So it's rather a shame that the media now prefers to refer to it as "whale vomit" or, for a bit of variation, "whale poo" – as if the world is a kindergarten. It has been in the news because Ken Wilman found a lump while walking on the beach with his dog. Unlike whale vomit or whale poo, it's valuable. | Ambergris is a beautiful and long-established word for a strange and unusual substance, produced in the digestive system of sperm whales, and eventually excreted through one of only two possible exits. It has been used since ancient times in the manufacture of perfume. So it's rather a shame that the media now prefers to refer to it as "whale vomit" or, for a bit of variation, "whale poo" – as if the world is a kindergarten. It has been in the news because Ken Wilman found a lump while walking on the beach with his dog. Unlike whale vomit or whale poo, it's valuable. |
| So, if you're of a romantic nature, but for some reason unable to say "amber" or "gris", you can opt for "floating gold". And if you're as condescending and banal as so many journalists appear to be, you can refer to gold as "ground riches", in case anyone in your audience is three. | So, if you're of a romantic nature, but for some reason unable to say "amber" or "gris", you can opt for "floating gold". And if you're as condescending and banal as so many journalists appear to be, you can refer to gold as "ground riches", in case anyone in your audience is three. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |