Why guinea pigs are called cavys?

[isis]

Does anyone know? Just about everytime I get on a guinea pig site, they call thme cavys. Does cavy meen something?

[cali]

cavy is short for the latin name Cavia porcellus

[CathyBogart]

Actually, I've often wondered why Cavies are called Guinea Pigs, since they are not from Guinea nor are they similar to pigs in any way. LoL

[zanzanfergie]

Wolfchan, one theory is that the name stems from when they used to be sold for one guinea apiece, in the old days - and the pig comes from the way they wheek, just like little piglets. That's what I heard anyway, but there a couple theories.

[isis]

Thanks everyone, it's been on my mind for some time.