Ruddock
/ˈrʌdək/noun
A European robin, especially in older or dialectal English.
Did you know?Ruddock is an old English dialect word for the robin, built from a root meaning “ruddy” or “red,” so the bird was named for the flash of blood-like color on its chest.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
rudduc
“A red or ruddy bird, especially a robin.”
Middle English
ME
ruddok
“A robin or small bird with a red breast.”
14th–15th Century
English
ruddock
“Dialectal and literary name for the robin.”
Modern English
English
ruddock
“An archaic or dialect word for the robin.”