canary etymology

Etymology:

The word "canary" comes from the Canary Islands, a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. The islands were named after the native canary birds, which were highly prized for their singing.

Meaning:

• A small, yellow songbird native to the Canary Islands.
• A bright yellow color, similar to the plumage of the canary.
• A type of security device that uses a small, easily observable component (such as a light bulb) to indicate when a system has malfunctioned.

Origin:

The native Canary Island birds were first discovered by Spanish explorers in the 15th century. The birds were brought back to Europe, where they became popular pets and were eventually bred for their singing abilities. The bright yellow color of the birds also became associated with them, and the term "canary" was eventually used to describe any object or substance of that color.

The use of "canary" as a type of security device originates from the use of canaries in coal mines. In the early 19th century, canaries were used to detect the presence of methane gas. Methane is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly to humans. If the air in a mine became contaminated with methane, the canary would become sick and eventually die, warning the miners to evacuate.

canary relate terms

• canary

  Etymology The word canary comes from the Canary Islands a group of islands in the Atl

• canicular

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• canid

  Etymology The word canid originates from the Latin word canis which means dog M

• canine

  Etymology Canine Derived from the Latin word caninus meaning of or pertaining to d

• chenille

  Etymology The word chenille comes from the French word chenille which in turn deriv

• corgi

  Etymology The word corgi is derived from the Welsh words cor meaning dwarf and g

• cynic

  Etymology The word cynic comes from the Greek word κυνικός kunikos which me

• cynical

  Etymology The word cynical derives from the ancient Greek word κυνικός kynik

• cynosure

  Etymology cyno Greek dog sura Greek tail Meaning A person or thing that is t

• dachshund

  Etymology Dachshund comes from the German words dachs meaning badger and hund meaning

• hound

  Etymology Old English hund Proto Germanic hundaz Proto Indo European kʷon do

• kennel

  Etymology of Kennel The word kennel has its origins in the Old French word canil w

• Procyon

  Etymology The name Procyon comes from Ancient Greek and is a combination of Pro m

• quinsy

  Etymology Middle English quynaci quinaci Old French quinancie quinance Late Latin

• fink

  Etymology The word fink has two distinct origins German From the Middle High Germ

• sneak

  Etymology of Sneak The word sneak originates from the Middle English term sneke wh

• jonquil

  Etymology Latin Juncus rush olere to smell Meaning English A genus of bulbous

• malmsey

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• sneaker

  Etymology The word sneaker is derived from the verb sneak which means to move steal

• yellow

  Etymology The word yellow traces its origins back to the Middle English yelwe which

• finch

  Etymology The word finch is derived from Old English finc which is ultimately deriv

• snake

  Etymology Old English snaca Proto Germanic snakô Proto Indo European sneh₂ǵ Me