Here’s the thing: scientifically they aren’t called jellyfish anymore. Just like starfish are now sea stars, jellyfish are (sea) jellies. Communication is about Person A expressing something and Person B understanding. To that end, calling those groovy quivering masses jellyfish makes sense. Who wants to confuse jellyfish with shoes from the 80's that create sweat-dirt mud in criss-cross patterns on your feet? I don't want to make that mistake. But...
It is kind of cool knowing that the name has changed. It’s good for the noggin to switch in midstream (“sttttt-EA star” or “jellyffff-IES”). It creates a feeling akin to hopeful when you become even a tiny bit more educated. I’ve noticed that the moppets feel this way, too. It’s fun for them when somebody says “jellyfish” or “starfish" -- they smile as if they know a secret (I sincerely hope it isn't an obnoxious smirk). A ranger once told them, “We don’t call them seagulls – just gulls. What if they were flying over a bay instead of the sea? Would you call them baygulls [bagels]?” Since then, whenever somebody says “seagull” I can hear them whisper to each other and the word “bagel” pops out between giggles. But…
They should find learning inspiring, not stratifying. Heaven help us all if they become those brats that are like, “It’s called a sea jelly. What – do you have farts in your head instead of a brain? Derrrr…” You can bully with brains as well as with brawn.
How do you encourage the love of constant learning, without creating a know-it-all-jackass (or two)? Because a love of learning is something worth working for. With conviction I posit that it's the nerds that make my life better... the birders/the rangers/the ladies at the massive yarn sales wearing crocheted vests/the stamp collectors... find me one that doesn't speak wisdom and I'll eat my plastic shoe.
Point being, caution is required on this raising-a-kid-road – zedonks are welcome, jackasses not so much.
