bird

Where does the word "bird" come from? It comes from Old English bridd, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Bird’s story begins in Old English: bridd meant “young bird.” Meant a young bird or chick; the general word was 'fugol', fowl. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as brid / bird. The 'r' and 'i' swapped places, just as Old English 'thridda' became 'third'. It reached English by 1500s as bird. Replaced 'fowl' as the general word, and 'fowl' narrowed to poultry. Today, bird means a feathered, winged, egg-laying animal.

1. Stage 1 · Old English · 1000s bridd "young bird", meant a young bird or chick; the general word was 'fugol', fowl.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s brid / bird "young bird, bird", the 'r' and 'i' swapped places, just as Old English 'thridda' became 'third'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s bird "any bird", replaced 'fowl' as the general word, and 'fowl' narrowed to poultry.