kid
UK[kɪd]US[kɪd]
n
A child or young person.
n
A young goat.
v
To tease or joke with someone in a playful way.
Etymology
The word "kid" entered Middle English from Old Norse "kith," meaning a young goat. This term is of Germanic origin, likely related to words in other Germanic languages for young animals. By the late 16th century, "kid" began to be used in thieves' cant as slang for a child, likely due to the perceived helplessness or innocence shared by young goats and human children. This slang usage gradually lost its underworld association and became standard, informal English for a child, while the original zoological meaning was retained.
Analysis
The word "kid" is a simplex word of Scandinavian origin. It functions as a complete lexical unit.
Examples
They have three kids, all under the age of ten.
We saw a nanny goat with her kid in the petting zoo.
I'm just kidding; I didn't mean to upset you.