Lapwing
/ˈlæp.wɪŋ/noun
A crested wading bird known for its noisy call and erratic flight.
Did you know?The old English name was likely inspired by the bird’s fluttering, unsteady wingbeats, not by “lap” in the sense of a body part or a hidden ritual meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
leapewince / hlēapewince
“A lapwing; the bird was named for its jerky, fluttering movement.”
Middle English
ME
lapwynke / lapwinke
“A lapwing, especially the noisy, erratic bird.”
Early Modern English
English
lapwing
“Standardized spelling for the bird name.”
Modern English
English
lapwing
“A crested wading bird of the plover family.”