why do spanish names for animals change when theyre alive to when they are food?

Question

why do spanish names for animals change when theyre alive to when they are food?
for example:
pez vs pescado.

Answer 1

Why do English names for animals change?

beef, cow, steak
sheep, lamb, mutton
pig, pork

It's actually a useful (if frustrating) distinction.

• Actually, a lot of those dual words came from when the Normans invaded England and overlaid the French words on top of the Anglo Saxon words. Boef (beef) = Cow, for example. - KevinB Jul 16, 2010

Answer 2

It provides a distinction that native speakers found useful. Just like in English, cow changes to beef, pig to pork, sheep to mutton, calf to veal, and chicken to poultry. Why? Just because.

• Those are all Anglo Saxon words vs.Norman French words. The French invaded England in 1066 and warped the language forever The serfs took care of the animals while they were alive, and the masters ate them when they were dead, thus the difference. - KevinB Jul 16, 2010
• Very interesting, if I ever knew it, sure did not remember, thanks! - Silvia Jul 16, 2010

Answer 3

thankssss! (:

Answer 4

The reason they change in the English language is because when the French invaded England in 1066 it was a country which spoke predominantly a Germanic language. The French became the Nobility and their language became the language if you like of the Nouvelle cuisinne, but their Herdsmen Butchers and farm workers etc, retained their germanic names for the animals whilst the French used their names for the table food, hence the cross over of Pig for Pork and Cow for Beef, you will find that nearly all the farm animals and agriculture names are of Germanic origin.

• Thank you for confirming I'm not crazy. Well, for confirming I remember this nugget. - KevinB Jul 16, 2010
• You are OK Kevin , I hold the title around here for the "Crazy one" good on you mate. - ray76 Jul 16, 2010
• Thats the reason for the distinction in English. Why in Spanish though? - barhamo Jul 16, 2010

Answer 5

Natasha said:

Why do English names for animals change'beef, cow, steaksheep, lamb, muttonpig, porkIt's actually a useful (if frustrating) distinction.

jeje, I was going to say just this!!

Answer 6

By the way..."sea people" often use the word pescado when they refer to living fish.

En esta cala hay mucho pescado.

• And it's wrong. It's commonly used, but wrong. "Pescado" is for "fished" fish. (Hence: pescado, a conjugated for of "pescar"). People shold say "Hay muchos peces". - MadderSky Jul 16, 2010