bellwether etymology

Etymology:

The word "bellwether" comes from the Middle English term "belle wedre" (literally, "fair weather").

Meaning:

A bellwether is:

• A sheep with a bell attached to its neck, used to lead the flock.
• By extension, a person or thing that leads or serves as an indicator of trends or events.

Origin:

The term "belle wedre" originated from the practice of placing a bell on the neck of the leading sheep in a flock to help keep track of it in the field. The bell also alerted other sheep to the presence of the leader, making them more likely to follow.

Over time, the term "bellwether" came to be used figuratively to refer to something or someone that serves as a guide or predictor of future events. In this sense, a bellwether is a harbinger or omen of what is to come.

bellwether relate terms

• bell

  Etymology Old English belle a bell Proto Germanic bellu to ring Indo Europe

• bellow

  Etymology Middle English belwe from Old English belg belg noun masculine Proto

• wether

  Etymology of whether Whether is derived from the Old English word hwæðer which m

• leader

  Etymology Old English ledere leader guide Middle English leder Proto Germanic l

• avalanche

  Etymology The word avalanche comes from the French word avalanche which in turn is

• turkey

  Etymology The word turkey derives from the following sources Old French Turkie M

• hail

  Etymology The word hail comes from the Proto Germanic root hagul meaning hailstone

• need

  Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words étymon meaning true m

• baccalaureate

  Etymology and Meaning The word baccalaureate originates from the Medieval Latin word b

• judge

  Etymology Latin judex meaning judge Proto Indo European root dyeu or diu

• dimension

  Etymology Latin dimensio dimensionis a measuring Proto Indo European dem to

• freedom

  Etymology Middle English fredom from Old English frēodōm n state of being free