Dodo
/ˈdoʊ.doʊ/noun
A large flightless bird that became extinct in the late 17th century; also, a stupid or slow person.
Did you know?The word was already being used in 17th-century English, but its exact origin is uncertain; many scholars connect it to Dutch sailors’ slang, possibly echoing a term for a foolish or awkward person.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
English
dodo
“The flightless bird of Mauritius, later used figuratively for a foolish person.”
17th Century
Dutch
dodaars
“A grebe or “thick-arsed” bird, sometimes proposed as a source or influence on the English name.”
17th Century
Portuguese
doudo
“A foolish or simple person; a possible source proposed by some etymologists.”
17th Century
English
dodo
“The bird’s name becomes fixed in English texts, especially in travel and natural-history writing.”
Modern English
English
dodo
“An extinct bird; by extension, a very foolish or old-fashioned person.”