1
Stage 1 of 4
babagha' / babgha
Arabic · medieval
"parrot"
an imitative name for the parrot, of uncertain deeper origin
2
Stage 2 of 4
papagayo
Spanish · 1100s
"parrot"
the bird's name and reputation for gaudy plumage spread into Iberia
3
Stage 3 of 4
papegai
Old French · 1100s
"parrot"
carried further north through medieval trade and literature
4
Stage 4 of 4
popinjay
Middle English · late 1200s
"parrot, later a vain talkative person"
the ending was reshaped to resemble "jay"; later applied figuratively to vain, showy people
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