What is the reasoning behind the name of the Guinea pig? It is not from Guinea, nor is it a pig.

The origin of "guinea" in "guinea pig" is uncertain. One theory is that the animals, which are originally from South America, were brought to Europe by way of Guinea, leading people to think they had originated there. "Guinea" was also frequently used in English to refer generally to any far-off, unknown country, and so the name may simply be a colorful reference to the animal's foreignness. Others believe "guinea" may be an alteration of the word "coney" ("rabbit"); guinea pigs were referred to as "pig coneys" in Edward Topsell's 1607 treatise on quadrupeds.