Etymology Map
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Pigeon

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a stout bird with a small head

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

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

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.