Guineafowl
/ˈɡɪn.i.faʊl/noun
A ground-dwelling bird of the family Numididae, especially the helmeted guineafowl.
Did you know?Despite the name, the common guineafowl is not originally from Guinea; English used “Guinea” as a broad West African trade label for imported goods and animals.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Numidikos
“Numidian; from Numidia in North Africa”
Latin
Latin
Numida
“Numidian fowl, a bird associated with Numidia”
16th Century
English
gynny fowle
“A fowl imported via West African trade routes, named with reference to Guinea”
17th Century
English
guinea fowl
“A domestic or imported bird treated as coming from Guinea”
Modern English
English
guineafowl
“The modern standard spelling for the bird”
Explore more surprising origins