The Origin of the Word “Cuckoo”
The word “cuckoo” originates from the sound made by the common cuckoo bird (Cuculus canorus). The cuckoo bird is known for its distinctive call that sounds like “cuckoo”. This onomatopoeic word first appeared in written English in around 1240 AD. The Old English spelling was “gicucu” and it was derived from the Proto-Germanic word “gaukaz” which also referred to the cuckoo bird.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia refers to words that phonetically imitate or resemble the sound they describe. Animal sounds like “moo”, “meow” and “oink” are iconic examples of onomatopoeia. In the case of cuckoo, the spelling attempts to phonetically capture the two-note call of the bird – “cuck-oo”. The repetitive “cuck” represents the first lower-pitched note while the “oo” depicts the second higher pitched note. This distinctive two-note call is what led to the cuckoo bird lending its name to the repeating clock.
The Cuckoo Clock
Cuckoo clocks are pendulum-regulated clocks that strike the hours with a sound reminiscent of the call of the common cuckoo bird. They originated in Germany in the early 1700s and were so named because of the association between the cuckoo bird’s call and the clock’s striking mechanism. The clocks were elaborately carved and decorated with moving cuckoo birds that appeared through a door when the clock struck. The name cuckoo clock first appeared in the early 1800s and has been used ever since. The onomatopoeic name helped connect the clock’s sound back to the original inspiration – the cuckoo bird.
Spelling Variations Over Time
While “cuckoo” is the predominant spelling today, there have been some spelling variations over time:
Old English
The earliest known written usage in around 1240 AD was “gicucu” in Old English. The Old English spellings indicated the repetitive two-note sound.
Middle English
In Middle English (1150-1500 AD), it was sometimes spelled as “cuckow”. This shows the transition from the hard “c” sound to the “ck” spelling.
Early Modern English
By Early Modern English (1500-1800 AD), the “ck” spelling was established as the standard, as seen in Shakespeare’s works that used “cuckoo”. The spelling had stabilized close to its current form.
Modern English
The modern spelling “cuckoo” has remained the same since the 1800s. While dialectal differences in pronunciation persist in parts of England, Scotland, and Wales, the standard spelling has stayed consistent.
Reasons for the “Cuckoo” Spelling
Here are some reasons why “cuckoo” is the accepted spelling in Modern English:
Mimics the bird call
The double “o” vowel lengthens the second note to mimic the two-part cuckoo bird call. If it was spelled “cucku”, the second note would be too abrupt. The elongated “oo” better represents the real sound.
Distinguishes from other birds
Spelling it with a double “o” differentiates it from the calls of other birds. For example, the dove’s call is “coo”. Using “coo” for cuckoo would cause confusion between the birds.
Established in Early Modern English
By Shakespeare’s era in the 1500-1600s, “cuckoo” was the standardized spelling in English. This spelling prevailed over the Middle English variations and has remained stable.
Matches scientific name
The scientific name for the Common Cuckoo is Cuculus canorus. The genus name Cuculus is based on the English “cuckoo” and its onomatopoeic origins can be seen.
Visually balances the word
The double letter “c” and “o” creates a visual symmetry in the word that differentiates it from similar sounding words like “cocoa”. This also aids in identifying the correct spelling.
Pronunciation and Dialectal Differences
While the standard spelling is well-established, regional dialects impact pronunciation:
Received Pronunciation
The Received Pronunciation accent in England pronounces it “koo-koo”. This matches the spelling directly.
Northern England
Northern regions may pronounce it as “kuh-koo” – using a shorter vowel for the first syllable.
Scotland and Wales
Some Scottish and Welsh dialects use a rolling ‘r’ so it sounds like “kroo-koo”.
Ireland
In Ireland, the pronunciation is similar to Received Pronunciation but with a slightly longer accent on the first syllable.
United States
American pronunciation is like Received Pronunciation. The “oo” sound is enunciated clearly matching the double “o” spelling.
Conclusion
In summary, the spelling of “cuckoo” originates from the onomatopoeic imitation of the cuckoo bird’s two-note call. The variations in Middle and Early Modern English eventually gave way to the standard “cuckoo” spelling by the 1600s. This reflects the elongated vowel sound in the call and differentiates it from other birds. The unusual spelling has endured over centuries because it so vividly captures the sound that inspired this unique word. Regional dialects impact the pronunciation but the spelling remains consistent. So the next time you wonder about this odd bird word, remember it’s spelled “cuckoo” for good reason!