Definition of snipe

The origin of the word "snipe" for a type of wading bird can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled as snīpan. The term originally described any small, wading bird in general, as the Old English word snīpan was derived from the verb snīpan, meaning "to slip" or "creep." This was likely in reference to the bird's sneaky and stealthy hunting techniques. Over time, the meaning of "snipe" became more specific, referring primarily to a type of bird found in the British Isles. In the Middle English period (around the 14th century), the term began to be associated specifically with the common species of snipe known as Gallinago gallinago. The exact reasons for the evolution of the word's meaning are unclear, as language often shifts and changes through unknown paths. However, it's possible that the behavior of the common snipe during mating season, when males perform a distinctive, abrupt display flight, contributed to the association of the term with this specific bird species. Today, the word "snipe" is still commonly used to refer to the common snipe and other closely related species, particularly in hunting and fishing contexts. Its use as a verb, meaning "to shoot snipe," is also still in use in British English dialects. While its origins may be obscure, the word "snipe" has remained a part of the English language for over a thousand years.