# What did roadrunners used to be called? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 24, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095 "2016-01-24T18:47:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/1 "2016-01-24T18:47:15Z")
This morning as I was ruminating on the wrong football team names that appear to be proliferating these days, I paused when I got to the RIGHT name for the team from Arizona. Now, it’s obvious that if you’re going to name your Arizona-based NFL franchise after a bird, it needs to be a bird that’s associated with the state of Arizona. And the only bird that’s associated in the public consciousness with Arizona is the roadrunner. Now that I’ve solved the problem of correcting the name of Arizona’s NFL franchise, let’s move on to more pressing issues. Roadrunners have almost certainly been around in the Arizona desert for longer than there have been any roads to speak of (in Arizona). So, what did the early settlers in, say, Tombstone, Purgatory, and Globe call these critters? What did Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday cal them as they watched the birds that skittered in front of them on their way to the OK Corral? And when DID they start getting called roadrunners? ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/2 "2016-01-24T18:54:07Z")
I’m pretty sure they had roads in Arizona back in Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday’s day. “Road” does not necessarily imply “pavement”. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/3 "2016-01-24T19:05:05Z")
Wikipedia informs me that “chaparral cock” is an alternate name for the roadrunner. The Latin name, _Geococcyx californianus_, seems to mean “Californian land-cuckoo”. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/4 "2016-01-24T19:19:56Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Wikipedia informs me that “chaparral cock” is an alternate name for the roadrunner. The Latin name, _Geococcyx californianus_, seems to mean “Californian land-cuckoo”. Considering the politics of AZ., how about the Arizona Cuckoos? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/5 "2016-01-24T19:30:08Z")
From [here:](http://mstexan7.tripod.com/id28.html) > [@](#): > > The roadrunner wasn’t always known as a road runner. Of course, the bird was around before there were roads to run along and it is more frequently seen in arroyos and surrounding desert. The bird was allegedly given the moniker “roadrunner” because it would run alongside horse drawn carriages traveling down dirt roads. Most recently before being named roadrunners, they were known as Chaparral Cocks or Chaparral Birds. The roadrunner is also known as “El Correcaminos” (roadrunner) and “El Paisano” (countryman) in Spanish, the latter being a warm acceptance of the bird into the heart of Mexican culture. Another name is Snake Killer, from its habit of killing snakes including rattlesnakes. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/6 "2016-01-24T19:30:54Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Considering the politics of AZ., how about the Arizona Cuckoos? Let’s avoid political jabs in GQ. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/7 "2016-01-24T20:34:50Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Wikipedia informs me that “chaparral cock” is an alternate name for the roadrunner. The Latin name, _Geococcyx californianus_, seems to mean “Californian land-cuckoo”. _Geococcyx californianus_? What happened to _acceleratii incredibus_? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/8 "2016-01-24T20:41:31Z")
They might not be able to use Phoenix Roadrunners. There were several hockey teams named that, and their trademark might still be in force. For all I know there still is a minor league Phoenix team called that. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/9 "2016-01-24T20:43:29Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Latin name, _Geococcyx californianus_, seems to mean “Californian land-cuckoo”. More like “ground-cuckoo,” a cuckoo that lives on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/10 "2016-01-24T20:46:30Z")
Who said anything about Phoenix? They should be called the _Arizona Roadrunners_. If the name includes Phoenix, they could use “Firebirds.” Because that’s what a phoenix is. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/11 "2016-01-24T21:55:30Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Who said anything about Phoenix? They should be called the _Arizona Roadrunners_. > > If the name includes Phoenix, they could use “Firebirds.” Because that’s what a phoenix is. Phoenix did have a AAA baseball team called the Firebirds before the MLB Diamondbacks appeared on the scene. As for Cardinals, it was their name when they previously played in St. Louis, and before that in Chicago. They’re one of the original teams in the NFL, dating back to 1920. And while the cardinal isn’t primarily associated with the state, there are cardinals in Arizona. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/12 "2016-01-24T22:03:58Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Considering the politics of AZ., how about the Arizona Cuckoos? > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Who said anything about Phoenix? They should be called the _Arizona Roadrunners_. > > If the name includes Phoenix, they could use “Firebirds.” Because that’s what a phoenix is. I still say they should have been named the “Gila Monsters.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/13 "2016-01-24T22:16:36Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > … If the name includes Phoenix, they could use “Firebirds.” Because that’s what a phoenix is. The might have an issue with these guys [Phoenix Firebirds - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Firebirds) but then again, the name’s been dormant for a few years and is unlikely to be revived. I watched them play many a game over the years. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/14 "2016-01-24T23:13:58Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > _Geococcyx californianus_? What happened to _acceleratii incredibus_? I’d see them cut across the road in front of me driving in N. Mexico; always had be sure I wouldn’t hit a pursuing _Overconfidentii vulgaris_. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/15 "2016-01-24T23:19:26Z")
_fade in to early planning session…_ #1: We can name the team after our state bird, the Chapparal Cock! #2: Let’s go with “Roadrunner”. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/16 "2016-01-24T23:32:28Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > _Geococcyx californianus_? What happened to _acceleratii incredibus_? A genetically modified bird Patented by Acme Corporation, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/17 "2016-01-24T23:50:33Z")
There have been roads there for as long as there have been people. And before there were people there, the local fauna didn’t have any name at all, because we’re the only ones who name things. ---
**Author:** ![Henga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Henga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henga)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/18 "2016-01-24T23:57:38Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Wikipedia informs me that “chaparral cock” is an alternate name for the roadrunner. The Latin name, _Geococcyx californianus_, seems to mean “Californian land-cuckoo”. Oh get real. Wile E. is the one who’s cuckoo. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/19 "2016-01-24T23:58:03Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Phoenix did have a AAA baseball team called the Firebirds before the MLB Diamondbacks appeared on the scene. > > As for Cardinals, it was their name when they previously played in St. Louis, and before that in Chicago. They’re one of the original teams in the NFL, dating back to 1920. And while the cardinal isn’t primarily associated with the state, there are cardinals in Arizona. And [Pyrrhuloxia’s](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pyrrhuloxia/id), a close relative of the cardinal. In the US, only found there, NM, and Texas. ---
**Author:** ![Henga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Henga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henga)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095/20 "2016-01-24T23:59:36Z")
Speedy Gonzales? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-roadrunners-used-to-be-called/744095.md?page=2)