I agree that the etymology of words is interesting and useful, but Feynmann's point (at least the way I saw it) wasn't that names are useless. It's that knowing

I agree that the etymology of words is interesting and useful, but Feynmann's point (at least the way I saw it) wasn't that names are useless. It's that knowing just the name of something doesn't tell you much about the thing. It's far more useful to know properties of said thing. You've given an example of an indigenous language being very descriptive. But there are equally many examples of them not being descriptive or being confusing. The same applies for all languages in fact (even German I would argue). Words in English have a long etymology too (and since it is far more widely spoken than most other languages, it has a far more complicated etymological history). Not to mention that all words are effectively by function labels, even in the language you mention. Just because the label has some logic behind it doesn't make it not a label. Also, is there a reason that you feel the need to deride "white men" or English? Seems quite out-of-place to me. Most invaders don't listen to the advice of indigenous inhabitants after invading a country, regardless of their skin colour.