It's been roughly five years since I first picked up Mortal Engines, and it is to date my favorite series of books. One of the (many) clever things Phillip Reeve does, is add in millions of quirky names and subtle references. This is embarrassing, I have only recently discovered the meaning behind the phrase 'Jenny Haniver,' the name of a prominent airship in the series.
Google Define puts it as this:
A Jenny Haniver is the carcass of a ray or a skate which has been modified and subsequently dried, resulting in a grotesque preserved specimen.
It's so delicately carved.
Three favorite themes for the carvers were Angels, devils or dragons.
They were named Jenny Haniver from the sailors of Antwerp, who carved them out and sold them as souvenirs/knickknacks. It was a literal translation from "Young girl of Antwerp,", or "Jeune D'anvers."
Another definition of Jenny Haniver is something that is not what it seems, a pretty good description for rogue taxidermy. And with this image, not exactly under category, I end this rather scattered post.
furry fish
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