zoo English · revision 7314

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=c. 1847}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /zuː/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a shortening of the Zoological, itself short for the Zoological Gardens of the London Zoological Society,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) established in 1828 in Regent's Park to house the society's collection of wild animals.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) The first three letters of [[zoological]], from Greek zōion, animal, were taken but said as one syllable.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The London Zoological Gardens: about 1847, in writings of Macaulay;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) a collection of animals in general, by 1866.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The gardens were at first for scientific study and opened to the public in 1847.^(Cresswell 2021) The Century Dictionary called the word a vulgarism that had passed into wide colloquial use.^(Etymonline) A diverse collection of people is from 1924,^(OED 1989) and a crowded and chaotic place by 1935.^(Etymonline) ''Zoo-keeper'' is attested by 1885.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1847 – the London Zoological Gardens.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1866 – any zoo.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1874 – first US zoo, in Philadelphia.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1924 – a diverse collection of people.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1935 – a chaotic place.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A park where living [[animal|alt=animals]] are kept and shown to the [[public]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' A place or situation of [[confusion]] or disorder.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[zookeeper]]

+ * [[petting zoo]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[zoo-]]

+ * [[zoologist]]

+ * [[zoology]]

+ * [[zoological]]

+ * [[zodiac]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}