in a flip

[flipflapflop]

Can anyone help me? I'd like to know if there's a generic term for any animal with flippers.

Many thanks

[Quizmonster]

Pinnipeds.

[flipflapflop]

Thanks, but I thought pinnipeds were just things like walruses and sea-lions.  Is there a word that covers penguins, dolphins, turtles, etc, as well?

[Quizmonster]

Here's what 'The Oxford English Dictionary' - the 'bible' in such matters - has to say about pinnipeds...

"Used in zoology in the sense 'fin-footed'...specifically...seals and walruses. Also, belonging to other divisions of animals having limbs or organs resembling fins and adapted for swimming."

The 'also' sentence above would appear to cover your second query.

[brachiopod]

Couldn't we just invent a word? Something along the lines of bovine - ovine - ursine etc.?

How about 'flippine' ?

Or am I just being flippine stupid?

[natalie_1982]

No brachiopod, you're being very flippant about the subject.