dodo

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a large flightless bird formerly native to Mauritius that became extinct in the seventeenth century

   The dodo disappeared soon after people and introduced animals reached Mauritius.

2. 2
   noun

   informal: a person or thing regarded as outdated, slow to adapt, or destined to disappear

   Critics dismissed the old device as a technological dodo.

Simplified etymology

Dodo is said to come from Portuguese duodo, “simpleton,” a name associated with the Mauritian bird’s lack of fear of humans and consequent ease of capture. The bird became extinct by the end of the 17th century, later giving rise to the expression “as dead as a dodo.”

First recorded in the seventeenth century; its origin is uncertain. Suggested sources include obsolete Portuguese doudo, 'foolish or simple,' and Dutch dodaars, a bird name. The figurative sense grew from the dodo's extinction and apparent ungainliness.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary