Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “dolphinese” come from?

dolphinese (English) comes from English dolphin, from Dutch dukdalf, from French duc, from Middle French duc, from Old French duc, from Latin dux, from Latin dūcō, from Proto-Italic doukō — to pull, to draw; to lead.

dolphinese (English): The rudimentary language used by dolphins

Definitions

  1. The rudimentary language used by dolphins

Ancestry of “dolphinese”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdolphinA carnivorous aquatic mammal in one of several...
2Dutchdukdalfdolphin, post for mooring boats
3Frenchducduke
4Middle Frenchducduke
5Old Frenchducduke
6Latinduxleader, head; commander, general, captain;...
7Latindūcō—
8Proto-Italicdoukōlead
9Proto-Indo-Europeandéwketi—
10Proto-Indo-Europeandewk-to pull, to draw; to lead
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dewk- →