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Yacu-mama
[mother of waters]. A fabulous sea-snake, fifty paces
long and twelve yards in girth, said to lurk in the lagunes of South
America, and in the river Amazon. This monster draws into its mouth
whatever passes within a hundred yards of it, and for this reason an
Indian will never venture to enter an unknown lagune till he has blown
his horn, which the yacu-mama never fails to answer if it is within
hearing. By this means the danger apprehended is avoided. (Watcrton.)
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Yacu-mama from Infoplease:
- Yacu-mama - Yacu-mama [mother of waters]. A fabulous sea-snake, fifty paces long and twelve yards in girth, ...
- Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: Y - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "Y"
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