Guinea pig

Japanese: モルモット

〘Noun〙 (marmot)① A mammal of the Caviidae family. Also called "guinea pig." It is said to have originated from a 16th-century Dutchman who mistook South American guinea pigs for European marmots. In addition to being used in medical experiments, they are also kept as pets. [Natural History Teaching Method (1876-77)]② (from the meaning of experimental guinea pig) A person used as a test subject for something. Experimental material. *Ie (1910-11)〈Toson Shimazaki〉Vol. 2 "He said you were a guinea pig."③ A misnomer for "marmot."

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

〘名〙 (marmot)① テンジクネズミ科の哺乳類。「テンジクネズミ」ともいう。一六世紀、オランダ人が南米産のテンジクネズミをヨーロッパ産マーモットと誤認したのに起因するという。医学の実験用に使われるほか、愛玩動物として飼われる。〔博物図教授法（1876‐77）〕② (実験用のモルモットの意から) 何かの実験台とされる人。実験材料。※家（1910‐11）〈島崎藤村〉下「君のことをモルモットだと言って居ましたぜ」③ 「マーモット」の誤称。

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