pigeon

Where does the word "pigeon" come from? It comes from Latin pipio, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Pigeon’s story begins in Latin: pipio meant “peeping chick.” An imitative word from 'pipire', to chirp. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pijon. The chick's cheep gave the name. It reached English by 1400s as pigeon. 'stool pigeon' is 1800s American slang. Today, pigeon means a stout bird with a small head.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pipio "peeping chick", an imitative word from 'pipire', to chirp.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval pijon "young bird", the chick's cheep gave the name.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s pigeon "young dove", 'stool pigeon' is 1800s American slang.