Birdie
/ˈbɜːr.di/noun
A small bird, or an affectionate name for a bird; in golf, a score of one under par on a hole.
Did you know?The older English word for bird was originally associated with a young bird or nestling, and its unusual change from “brid” to “bird” is a classic example of sound transposition.
Etymological Timeline
Old English, before 1100
Old English
bryd
“A young bird or nestling; the form is related to Middle English brid, though its deeper origin is uncertain.”
12th–13th Century
Middle English
brid
“A bird, especially a young bird; the consonants later shifted positions.”
14th Century
Middle English
bird
“The general word for a feathered flying creature, replacing or varying with brid.”
16th–18th Century
English
bird
“The established modern noun for a bird; it also developed figurative meanings for a person or young woman.”
19th Century
English
birdie
“An affectionate diminutive formed by adding the familiar suffix -ie to bird.”
1890s
English
birdie
“In golf, a score of one stroke under par on a hole; the sporting sense originated in American English.”