Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Zany, Zealous, Zanzibar Zebrasses


ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. Over time, others have joined in to help host this wonderful and informative meme. We are now in our NINTH round! Some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week, we end Round 9 with the letter, "Z".



ZAMIA

 
 (image from Wikipedia)

The name Zamia comes from the Greek azaniae, meaning "a pine cone" (Wikipedia).

I've seen zamia-in botanical gardens in San Diego. I don't think I've seen any here in New Mexico-perhaps our climate is not conducive to their growth-after all, they are well suited for warm, moist, tropical climates. It's a beautiful plant-you can always click on the link to read all the botanical specifics about it (I can't do it justice in explaining it!).

ZASTRUGA

(image from Wikipedia)

Brrrr!!!! I get shivers just thinking about zastruga! It's irregular grooves or ridges on surfaces on the snow caused by the wind, erosion and deposits. Oh-and in case you need to use the plural of this word, it is zastrungi. Go ahead, be a smarty pants and talk about how difficult it is to ski across miles and miles of zastrungi at the next party you attend!

ZEEBROID

(image from Wikipedia)
Really, I was looking for images of Zebrass'. Honest! But, I couldn't find any and instead, ran in to Zeebroids. Zeebroid is a broad term for a hybrid of a Zebra and an equine. You can get more specific, such as a 

ZEEDONK

(image from Wikipedia)

Which is a cross between a zebra and a donkey. And, donkeys and ass are names used interchangeably for the same animal. Which is what a Zebrass is. So, I guess I really did find an image of a Zebrass, but not directly so!

And then there is the Zebrule (Zebra and a mule). Know too, that there is convention for naming the hybrid, which is done by sire (male) and dam (female). Yes it is rather sexist! But, that is what the scientific convention is.

Do you think you have a grasp of this hybrid-naming convention? Good. Now, let's see if you can guess the sire and dam of a Zorse. How about a Zony? Or, a Zetland? Answer: zebra/horse, zebra/pony, zebra/Shetland pony, respectively.

Wait! It gets even BETTER.  A Zonkey? A cross between a Zebra and a donkey, BUT, 'Zonkey' is not considered a correct name. Instead, commonly accepted names are Zedonkey, Zebrinny, Zebrula, Zebrass, Zedonk. Even Zebadonk is considered correct.

So, next time you are at a loss for conversation (try this in an elevator full of strangers), try out this category of Zebroids on your listeners. They will be amazed!


Oh, and by the way, the title is also a sentence (in case you want to throw a tongue twister out to unsuspecting victims).

16 comments:

Carver said...

I have trouble with Z and you came up with such a great selection of photographs for Z words.

Roger Owen Green said...

Sorry that Zanzibar isn't a country anymore; I'm old enough to remember when it was!

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

photowannabe said...

Thanks for my smile for the day. I think I will try to remember that the next time I want to spark the conversation.
Love the Zedonk.....
My spell correction doesn't like that word.

EG CameraGirl said...

I must admit I had never heard of a zeebroid before! Or a zeedonk. Or a Zebrass, for that matter/")

Meryl said...

How fantastically fun! (Although I am not a fan on the mix-breeding.) STill lots of fun and truly informative. Looking forward to round

Kay L. Davies said...

I remember when Zanzibar was a country. In fact, I didn't know it wasn't any more.
And I'm sure Zebrasses are zany, but how zealous are they, really?
LOL

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Now zastruga is a word I need to remember.

Spadoman said...

Not only will the captive listeners inn the elevator be amazed, I am amazed. I always thought the ze bra was the largest they make??!! --->groan hee_______
So, the referee at a football game wears aebra stripes, is he a zeman or zeref. Just askin',
Sorry to tease, but I was fascinated by the subject.

Peace

J.Rylie.C said...

The Zeedonk is cool.

Zing is it for me. Hope you can visit and see. Have a nice day!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Zeedroink, very new to me.

Zodiac is one of my entries. Come see it when you get a chance. Thanks!

Tumblewords: said...

If I'm going to use these words in company, I'll need to write them in my fist (where I used to store the short rules for poker) as there's hardly a chance I could remember any but zebrasses. Fun post, to be zure!

Leslie: said...

What a fun post! All those hybrids and me not being able to pronounce them! lol

Leslie
abcw team

Reader Wil said...

I didn't know that the zebra could have so many different partners. He or she must not be very choosy!
Great post Paula!

Kim, USA said...

You are lucky to find these beautiful creatures. Happy weekend!

Reflection

Chronicles of Illusions said...

what a great entry to finish with
http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/z-is-for-zinke/

Costin Comba said...

zebroid and zeedonk are so funny. Greetings from Romania. Have a nice week.

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