Litter
/ˈlɪt.ər/noun
Waste scattered in a public place or left behind carelessly.
Did you know?English *litter* originally meant a couch, bed, or portable bed, and only later developed the sense of straw, animal bedding, and finally scattered rubbish.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
lectus
“a couch, bed, or bier”
Old French
Old French
litiere
“straw bedding; a bed for a person or beast; a litter or stretcher”
Middle English
English
litter
“a bed of straw; bedding for animals; a portable bed or stretcher”
16th Century
English
litter
“straw, dung, or other material used as bedding; something scattered in disorder”
Modern English
English
litter
“waste scattered untidily; rubbish left in a place”
Explore more surprising origins