derby English · revision 7793

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=eponym|attested=1796}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdɑː.bi/ ''(UK)''; /ˈdɝ.bi/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from the Derby, the horse race founded in 1780 by Edward Stanley, the twelfth Earl of Derby, and run at Epsom Downs in Surrey,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(MW Word Histories)^(Collins 2023) which is nowhere near the town of Derby.^(MW Word Histories) The earldom is named after Derby, Old English Dēorbȳ (959), deer village,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from dēor, [[deer]], and bȳ, a homestead, from a Scandinavian source (compare the first element of [[bylaw]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The race: 1796 in MWU;^(MWU 2024) the proper name of the race in the OED from 1844.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Derby Day'', usually the Wednesday before Whitsuntide, is attested from 1838,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the ''Derby dog'', something that turns up without fail like the dog on the course on Derby Day, from 1858.^(Etymonline) Similar major races elsewhere are named from 1875, first for the Kentucky Derby,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and any important sporting contest from 1909.^(OED 1989)^(MW Word Histories) The stiff felt hat with a rounded crown was made in the United States by 1850 and called a derby by 1870,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) apparently because it was worn at the race after the fashion of the Earl of Derby,^(Barnhart 1988) or perhaps because it was worn for riding;^(Etymonline) it came in as a fashionable novelty in 1874.^(Etymonline) A local Derby, a match between two teams from the same area, is British football usage.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1780 – the race founded.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1838 – Derby Day.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1870 – the hat.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1875 – any major race.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1909 – any sporting contest.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(the Derby)'' An annual horse race for three-year-olds run at Epsom Downs, or any of various similar races.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A race or contest open to all comers.^(AHD)^(MW Word Histories)

+ # ''(US, Canada)'' A stiff felt hat with a round crown and narrow curved brim; a [[bowler]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(British)'' A match between two local rival teams.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[demolition derby]]

+ * [[roller derby]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bowler]]

+ * [[deer]]

+ * [[bylaw]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The race and the town are pronounced /ˈdɑːbi/ in Britain, the hat and American races usually /ˈdɜːrbi/.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}