From the article: “The OED entry for the word records an 1830 suggestion that English should adopt new names for the sciences replacing -ology with lore: birdl

From the article: “The OED entry for the word records an 1830 suggestion that English should adopt new names for the sciences replacing -ology with lore: birdlore instead of ornithology, earthlore instead of geology.” This is the reference you parent is making in their light hearted comment.