Tidbit about Tidbit - What does it mean and where does it come from? Oh yes, etymology of tidbit!
Hello. If you are reading this blog for the first time, then I welcome you. If it is not your first time, then I pull you in for a hearty hug because I'm glad that you are here again.
If you did not know, my name is not LeslyAnne.
So in the first post I wrote the word tidbit, and it made me wonder if I was spelling it correctly and where in the world it came from (hence today's post).
I take my information from the Optimal Elephant Database or what is more commonly known as the almighty OED (Oxford English Dictionary - which I really don't know what you have to do to use it if you're not subscribed through academia. Probably just have to pay money, but who cares for doing that.).
On with the show.
Tidbit means "a small piece of tasty food; a delicacy, a morsel."
It can also be used figuratively or not really referring to food but likening something unto a tasty morsel of food (which is what I did yesterday - likening information to bits of yummilicious grub).
The word was first used in the 1640's but appeared as "tyd bit." The word "tid" being "of a child: playful, frolicsome, lively; skittish, pert, forward; fractious, babyish, silly" and "bit" coming from the word "bite" or "the act or action of biting."
The figurative usage isn't noted until the 1650's but I would argue that usually words are usually first created verbally until they catch on and then appear in text somewhere.
The origin is Britain where the two words "tid" and "bit" were slapped together or more likely slowly found attraction for one another through a hyphen (like in the late 17th century and 18th century) and then finally made the plunge to be together forever more (in the early 20th century).
I hope you liked this tidbit and want to come back for another and another until you're full. Feel free to drop a line to me. Maybe ask a question? Share this? Like it? Have a Great Day...or Night...or Anytime.
If you did not know, my name is not LeslyAnne.
So in the first post I wrote the word tidbit, and it made me wonder if I was spelling it correctly and where in the world it came from (hence today's post).
I take my information from the Optimal Elephant Database or what is more commonly known as the almighty OED (Oxford English Dictionary - which I really don't know what you have to do to use it if you're not subscribed through academia. Probably just have to pay money, but who cares for doing that.).
On with the show.
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| Pictures are nice - usually. (this one seems to be taken from JooJoo: an art blog) |
Tidbit means "a small piece of tasty food; a delicacy, a morsel."
It can also be used figuratively or not really referring to food but likening something unto a tasty morsel of food (which is what I did yesterday - likening information to bits of yummilicious grub).
The word was first used in the 1640's but appeared as "tyd bit." The word "tid" being "of a child: playful, frolicsome, lively; skittish, pert, forward; fractious, babyish, silly" and "bit" coming from the word "bite" or "the act or action of biting."
The figurative usage isn't noted until the 1650's but I would argue that usually words are usually first created verbally until they catch on and then appear in text somewhere.
The origin is Britain where the two words "tid" and "bit" were slapped together or more likely slowly found attraction for one another through a hyphen (like in the late 17th century and 18th century) and then finally made the plunge to be together forever more (in the early 20th century).
I hope you liked this tidbit and want to come back for another and another until you're full. Feel free to drop a line to me. Maybe ask a question? Share this? Like it? Have a Great Day...or Night...or Anytime.
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