Parrot

Parrot

Noun & Verb · /ˈpærət/ · a colourful tropical bird; to repeat mindlessly

Definition

As a noun: a brightly coloured tropical bird of the order Psittaciformes, known for its ability to mimic human speech. As a verb: to repeat someone's words or ideas without understanding them. Both senses share the same core image — imitation without original thought.

Origin

From the French perrot, a diminutive of Pierre (Peter) — a common pet name given to the bird, much like English speakers once called magpies "Mag." First recorded in English around 1525. The verb sense — to parrot — appeared by the 1590s, when Shakespeare's contemporaries began using it to mock empty repetition.