etymology.today
29.04.2025 | see previous words
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"koekoek"
Dutch
> DEFINITION:
A common bird known for its distinctive call, also referred to as 'cuckoo' in English.
> ETYMOLOGY:
Origin: The word 'koekoek' originates from the Middle Dutch word 'koeckoc', which is derived from the Old Dutch 'kōkōk'. This, in turn, is believed to have been onomatopoeic, imitating the call of the bird.
Historical and Cultural Context: The word was first attested in the medieval period, commonly used in literature and oral traditions to describe the bird known for laying its eggs in the nests of other birds.
Evolution: Over time, the pronunciation shifted slightly as the language evolved from Old to Middle Dutch. The English word 'cuckoo' is a cognate, showing a similar onomatopoeic origin.
Modern Relevance: Today, 'koekoek' is used in Dutch to describe both the bird and to refer to people who are considered eccentric, similar to the English expression 'going cuckoo'.
Historical and Cultural Context: The word was first attested in the medieval period, commonly used in literature and oral traditions to describe the bird known for laying its eggs in the nests of other birds.
Evolution: Over time, the pronunciation shifted slightly as the language evolved from Old to Middle Dutch. The English word 'cuckoo' is a cognate, showing a similar onomatopoeic origin.
Modern Relevance: Today, 'koekoek' is used in Dutch to describe both the bird and to refer to people who are considered eccentric, similar to the English expression 'going cuckoo'.
> FUN_FACT:
The cuckoo bird is notorious for its brood parasitism, where it lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving them to raise its young.
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