Learning the Lingo

The new book I am reading is all about blue crabs, and it's really interesting so far. I thought I'd pass along a little crab terminology, just in case you ever find yourself talking to a waterman on Chesapeake Bay and don't want to sound like an crustacean novice.

carcinology

the branch of zoology that studies crustaceans. — carcinologist, n. — carcinologic, carcinological, adj.

Sook
Female blue crab that is mature

Jimmy
Male blue crab that is mature

doublers
When during mating the male carries the freshly molted female under his body.

autotomy
the spontaneous casting off of a limb or other body part, such as the tail of some lizards or the claws of lobsters and crabs when the animal is injured or under atack