katydid etymology

Etymology:

The word "katydid" comes from the onomatopoeic sound made by these insects.

  • "Katy" is thought to be derived from the onomatopoeic sound of the male katydid's mating call, which resembles "katy-did, katy-did."

  • "Did" is likely a reduplication of "katy," intensifying the sound.

Meaning:

Katydid can refer to:

  • A type of insect in the family Tettigoniidae, characterized by long antennae and a distinctive mating call.

  • Slang for a talkative person, especially a woman.

Origin:

The term "katydid" has been in use since at least the mid-18th century.

  • It was first recorded in Edward Harris's "Glossary of Terms Used in Botany, Zoology, and Geology" (1750).

  • The term is believed to have originated in the United States.

katydid relate terms

  • euphemism

    Etymology Euphemism derives from the Greek words eu good and phemi speak Mean

  • strike

    Etymology The word strike comes from the Middle English word striken which is derive

  • fellowship

    Etymology The word fellowship is derived from the Old English word feolaga which me

  • clean

    Etymology The word clean comes from the Middle English word clene which is derived f

  • brute

    Etymology The word brute is derived from the Old French word brute which in turn com

  • nightingale

    Etymology Old English nīhtegale meaning night singer By the 14th century the word

  • Babel

    Etymology The word Babel is derived from the Akkadian word Babilim which means The

  • avarice

    Etymology French avarice Medieval Latin avaritia Latin avēre to have or desire

  • cripple

    Etymology and Meaning The word cripple has several etymological origins Old English