donkey

Where does the word "donkey" come from? It comes from Old English dunn, and was adopted directly into English (1780s).

Donkey’s story begins in Old English: dunn meant “dull brown.” Dull greyish-brown; a possible source, but the word's origin is uncertain. It reached English by 1780s as donkey. First recorded as slang, and at first rhymed with 'monkey'; it replaced 'ass' as the everyday word. Today, donkey means a domesticated animal of the horse family with long ears.

1. Stage 1 · Old English · 700s-1000s dunn "dull brown", dull greyish-brown; a possible source, but the word's origin is uncertain.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1780s donkey "donkey", first recorded as slang, and at first rhymed with 'monkey'; it replaced 'ass' as the everyday word.