frog English · revision 15247

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1000|origins=gem-pro *fruskaz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /fɹɒɡ/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|frogge]], [[inh|ang|frogga]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) a diminutive related to [[m|ang|frosc]], [[m|ang|forsc]] and [[m|ang|frox|t=frog]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[gem-pro|*fruskaz]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) cognate with [[non|froskr]], [[dum|vorsc]] and [[de|Frosch]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is probably literally a hopper, if it is from [[ine-pro|*prew-|t=to hop]].^(Etymonline) Watkins calls the Old English -gga an obscure expressive suffix,^(Etymonline) like that of [[m|ang|docga]], dog.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The tailless leaping amphibian: about 1000, in Ælfric's Glossary, in Barnhart and the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) Middle English forms include frogge (probably before 1200) and frog (1463).^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the Middle Ages frog was a general term of abuse for a man or woman, from about 1330,^(OED 1989)^(Cresswell 2021) and in the 17th century it was applied to the Dutch and the French, the latter partly from alliteration and their reputation for eating frogs' legs.^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998) As a name for a Frenchman it is from 1778.^(OED 1989) A horny pad in the sole of a horse's hoof has been called a frog since 1610, probably a transferred use of the animal name.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) A frog in the throat, hoarseness, is from the mid-19th century in Word Origins and 1909 in the OED.^(Cresswell 2021)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1000 – frogga.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1330 – a term of abuse.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1610 – the frog of a horse's hoof.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1719 – frog, a fastening.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1778 – a Frenchman (derogatory).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1909 – frog in the throat.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A tailless [[amphibian]] with smooth moist skin, webbed feet and long hind legs for leaping.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A wedge-shaped horny pad in the sole of a horse's [[hoof]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # An ornamental fastening on a coat, a looped braid and button; or a loop on a belt holding a sword or bayonet.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(offensive slang)'' A French person.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[froglike]]

+ * [[froggy]]

+ * [[bullfrog]]

+ * [[frogman]]

+ * [[frogmarch]]

+ * [[frog's-bit]]

+ * [[frogstool]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[frosh]]

+ * [[toad]]

+ * [[tadpole]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The fastening, first a belt loop for carrying a weapon (1719, in Defoe's ''Robinson Crusoe''), then an ornamental fastening for a coat (1746), is of uncertain origin, perhaps from Portuguese [[m|pt|froco]], from [[la|floccus|t=tuft of wool]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The Latin word for the animal, [[m|la|rāna]], imitates croaking.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}