1. The Original Word: The word likely comes from the "bandicut" used by the Tamil people of South India, referring to a rat-like animal. It was a common term for rodents in the region.
2. The European Encounter: When European explorers and colonists arrived in Australia, they encountered a unique marsupial with a distinctive pointed snout. They mistakenly thought it was a kind of rat and, based on their knowledge of the Indian word, called it a "bandicoot."
3. The Misspelling: There seems to have been a misspelling at some point, and the word became "bandicoot" instead of the original "bandicut."
4. The Confusion: The Australian marsupials are not closely related to the Indian rodents that the original word referred to. This highlights the challenges of translating names and understanding local terminology in new regions.
5. The Lasting Term: Despite the initial misidentification, the term "bandicoot" stuck and is now the widely accepted name for these unique Australian mammals.
So, while the word itself came from Tamil, its application to the Australian marsupials is a case of mistaken identity that eventually became established through usage.