Entity: GANDER
GANDER is a term that refers to an adult male goose, but it is also used as an insult meaning 'simpleton' or 'silly man'. The word is associated with the idiom 'take a gander', which means to take a look.
GANDER
Etymology
From Middle English gandre, from Old English gandra, ganra (“gander”), from Proto-West Germanic *ganʀō, from Proto-Germanic *ganzô (“gander”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰéns (“goose”). The meaning 'a look' is derived from the image of craning one's neck like a goose.
Definition
GANDER is an adult male goose, but it is also used as an insult meaning 'simpleton' or 'silly man'. The term is often associated with the idiom 'take a gander', which means to take a look.
Historical Context
The term GANDER has roots in Old English and has evolved to have multiple meanings over time, ranging from a male goose to an insult. It is also used in various idiomatic expressions.
Cultural Significance
In British culture, the term GANDER is associated with Cockney rhyming slang and the nursery rhyme 'Goosey Goosey Gander'. It carries both literal and figurative meanings, adding depth to its cultural significance.
Related Concepts
Related concepts to GANDER include geese, idiomatic expressions, and insults. The term is versatile in its usage and can convey different meanings based on context.
See Also
- Wiktionary - gander
- Merriam-Webster - GANDER
- Vocabulary.com - Gander
- Dictionary.com - GANDER
- [English Language & Usage Stack Exchange - Origin of 'have a gander'] (https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/198873/what-is-the-origin-of-have-a-gander-when-meaning-look)
GANDER is a term that can refer to an adult male goose, but it is also used as an insult meaning 'simpleton' or 'silly man'. It is often associated with the idiom 'take a gander', which means to take a look.