Search: pet etymology
Why: JMo has been hanging out with Pinot and thinking about things. She posits: "Is it because we pet them?"
Answer: It comes from the Scottish Gaelic word peata, "tamed animal," though nobody knows why or when. It was recorded to mean "indulged child" in 1508 and as "animal kept as favorite" in 1539, though the latter may have been the primary/original meaning. The word is probably related to petty, which comes from petit, duh, "small."
Source: EtymOnline
The More You Know: Other recorded uses:
- 1629 - as a verb: to treat as a pet
- 1818 - to stroke
- 1914 - teacher's pet
- 1920 - to kiss and caress (as in heavy petting)
Thanks for posting this, I've been wondering the same. And I now know I'm not the only one! I linked this post for another blogger to check out, as well, because she posited the same query before a series of adorable pet photos.
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