guinea pig

• guinea-pig, Guinea-pig
• Guinea pig

The origin of "guinea" in "guinea pig" is hard to explain. One theory is that the animals were brought to Europe by way of Guinea, leading people to think they had originated there.[1] "Guinea" was also frequently used in English to refer generally to any far-off, unknown country, and so the name may simply be a colorful reference to the animal's foreignness.[2] Others believe "guinea" may be an alteration of the word coney (“rabbit”); guinea pigs were referred to as "pig coneys" in Edward Topsell's 1607 treatise on quadrupeds.[1]

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡɪni pɪɡ/

guinea pig (plural guinea pigs)

1. A tailless rodent of the the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia, with short ears and larger than a hamster; the species Cavia porcellus is often kept as a pet.

   Synonym: cavy (formal name)

2. A rodent of any of several species within the family Caviidae.
3. (figuratively) A living experimental subject.

   Synonym: lab rat

   He became a human guinea pig and was paid by the company.

   • 1970, Larry Niven, Ringworld, page 115:

     [H]e spoke of the unwisdom of volunteering one's services as a guinea pig.

4. (dated, slang) A professional company director, without time or real qualifications for the duties.
5. (obsolete) Term of contempt.
   • 1748, Tobias Smollett, The Adventures of Roderick Random‎, page 183:

     A good seaman he is... none of your guinea-pigs.

• Sranan Tongo: dyinipi

• cavy boar
• cavy piglet
• cavy sow