Mynah Bird
/ˈmaɪ.nə bɜːrd/noun
A starling-like songbird of the Asian genus Acridotheres, especially the common mynah.
Did you know?The word mynah entered English through colonial-era contact with Indian languages, while the bird’s remarkable vocal mimicry helped make it a symbol of borrowed human speech.
Etymological Timeline
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
madanā
“A traditional Sanskrit name associated with the mynah bird; the deeper origin is uncertain.”
Medieval period
Hindi
mainā
“Mynah bird; the source of the later South Asian forms.”
18th Century
Anglo-Indian English
maina
“The bird known in India by that name.”
Late 18th Century
English
mynah
“An English borrowing for a starling-like Indian songbird.”
Modern English
English
mynah bird
“A common compound referring to a mynah, especially to distinguish it from other birds called mynahs.”