Word Origins

 

*TERRIER

Hunting dogs are used for different purposes, according to their several natures, and the peculiar property that distinguishes the clan of terriers is their ability to dig out burrowing animals from their lairs. It is this earth-moving attribute that has given the class its name. Terriers were originally bred to search for and destroy vermin. Most hunted rats, mice, and other rodents, but some larger breeds were used to hunt foxes, rabbits, and other large game. An old name was terrier dog, which is a half-translation of the French chien terrier. If fully translated, we would have had burrow dog, for the French word terrier has the meaning "a burrow, a hole in the ground." It comes from their terre, "earth," which is from the Latin terra, "earth."

*Inspired by Charles Funk (1881–1957)