dodo
UK[ˈdəʊdəʊ]US[ˈdoʊdoʊ]
n
A large, extinct, flightless bird that lived on the island of Mauritius.
n
A person or thing that is hopelessly out-of-date or obsolete.
Etymology
The word "dodo" entered English in the early 17th century from Portuguese sailors, who called the bird 'doudo,' meaning "fool" or "simpleton." This name was a direct reflection of the bird's behavior; having evolved without natural predators on Mauritius, it showed no fear of humans, making it appear foolishly tame and easy to hunt. The Portuguese term itself may have roots in the Old Portuguese 'doudo,' akin to the Spanish 'bobo,' all conveying a sense of stupidity. The tragic story of the dodo, driven to extinction within a century of human contact, cemented its name as a byword for obsolescence and irreversible loss.
Analysis
The word "dodo" is a simplex loanword from Portuguese. It does not contain separable morphemes in English. The Portuguese word 'doudo' or 'doido' meant "simpleton" or "fool," likely applied to the bird due to its lack of fear of humans and clumsy nature.
Examples
The dodo is often used as a prime example of human-caused extinction.
His refusal to use a computer marked him as a technological dodo.
Scientists are studying skeletal remains to learn more about the dodo's biology.