# Wow! Dolphins have names. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 9, 2006, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059 "2006-05-09T13:42:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/1 "2006-05-09T13:42:55Z")
For each other, I mean. Two dolphins can even refer to a third dolphin. They also seem to have “family whistles” - they respond to referential whistle patterns used by members of their own families, even if the whistles are played by a synthesizer (so they’re not just recognizing each other’s “voices”.) [link](http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060509/od_nm/science_dolphins1_dc;_ylt=AryPsNI6jkMmTNT9MbpgdZXtiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--) ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/2 "2006-05-09T14:23:41Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] For each other, I mean. Two dolphins can even refer to a third dolphin. They also seem to have “family whistles” - they respond to referential whistle patterns used by members of their own families, even if the whistles are played by a synthesizer (so they’re not just recognizing each other’s “voices”.) [link](http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060509/od_nm/science_dolphins1_dc;_ylt=AryPsNI6jkMmTNT9MbpgdZXtiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--) [/QUOTE] This is just another reason why we should initiate to destruction of the Dolphin. It’s just a matter of time before they rise from the seas and try to take our land and our women. They must be stopped. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/3 "2006-05-09T14:39:17Z")
[QUOTE=RandMcnally] This is just another reason why we should initiate to destruction of the Dolphin. It’s just a matter of time before they rise from the seas and try to take our land and our women. [/QUOTE] I, for one, welcome our new Dolphin overlords. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/4 "2006-05-09T14:50:17Z")
Well, duh… like, Flipper!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/5 "2006-05-09T16:22:56Z")
Next up: opposable thumbs. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/6 "2006-05-09T16:34:52Z")
I wouldn’t really be too worried until they get that whole fire thing worked out. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/7 "2006-05-09T17:09:33Z")
[QUOTE=RandMcnally] They must be stopped. [/QUOTE] No wrists = no digital watches = we are safe. For now. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/8 "2006-05-09T18:00:49Z")
Weren’t dolphins once land animals? Perhaps they’ve tried the whole dominant species before and found it wasn’t as much fun as swimming around in the oceans and eating fish. Maybe that’s why they’re always smiling? I for one, feel more comfortable knowing they are here. If they all decide to leave then we might be in trouble. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/9 "2006-05-09T18:22:05Z")
[Ehhh… relax.](http://www.theonion.com/content/node/45360) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/10 "2006-05-09T18:44:17Z")
[QUOTE=Hey you!] [Ehhh… relax.](http://www.theonion.com/content/node/45360) [/QUOTE] Yeahbut… the polar caps are melting. I think dolphins may be responsible? We’ll all drown. It’s world domination! ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/11 "2006-05-09T19:45:07Z")
They have names ? Lunch and Dinner perhaps ? ---
**Author:** ![hawksgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed655f/32.png) [@hawksgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawksgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/12 "2006-05-09T19:49:18Z")
[QUOTE=Wile E] I for one, feel more comfortable knowing they are here. If they all decide to leave then we might be in trouble. [/QUOTE] That’s always the [first sign](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchhikers_guide) of trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/13 "2006-05-09T20:32:47Z")
Kinda makes you wonder what _your_ dolphin name would be. I hope mine’s something like **Clickclickweeeeurrrr** and not something shrill like **Weeeeeerrrggggoooo**. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/14 "2006-05-09T21:39:35Z")
I hate scientific leaps of assumption. Maybe dolphins just continuously hack up fish balls, like cats, in an auditorally unique manner that others are able to recognize? I mean, I can tell which of my dogs happens to be barfing up his kibble, but it doesn’t mean he’s calling me by name… “Gargoyle…Gargoyle…Ghhgggkkarrrrrgoyle” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/15 "2006-05-09T21:49:49Z")
[QUOTE=Beadalin] Next up: opposable thumbs. [/QUOTE] Male dolphins have prehensile penises, they don’t need thumbs. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/16 "2006-05-10T00:11:37Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] Male dolphins have prehensile penises, they don’t need thumbs. [/QUOTE] I believe I’ve read that this is urban legend. Imagine the gender relations in a creature where only the male could manipulate things, though! ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/17 "2006-05-10T00:29:52Z")
[QUOTE=Beadalin] Next up: opposable thumbs. [/QUOTE] Dammit, man! Didn’t you read [the Onion article](http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28315)??! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/18 "2006-05-10T01:24:27Z")
[QUOTE=RandMcnally] This is just another reason why we should initiate to destruction of the Dolphin. It’s just a matter of time before they rise from the seas and try to take our land and our women. They must be stopped. [/QUOTE] I’m not going to let a bunch of hoop-jumping tuna-munchers push me around! ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/19 "2006-05-10T02:53:29Z")
Clickclickclickweeeeeeeeeoooooooclickclicksnarghooooeeeeeeeeeeclickclick! _claps flappers_ ---
**Author:** ![urban1a](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47c2d/32.png) [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059/20 "2006-05-10T04:09:49Z")
[QUOTE=Beadalin] Next up: opposable thumbs. [/QUOTE] They had them and decided that they could live without them. Bob [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-dolphins-have-names/356059.md?page=2)