Jaybird

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small, often brightly colored bird belonging to the crow family known for its noisy calls ; a person who talks excessively or divulges private information
2. A species of bird noted for its loud voice and vibrant plumage ; an individual who chatters or cannot keep confidences
3. A noisy, colorful bird related to crows and magpies ; someone who is prone to revealing secrets or chatting too much

Etymology: The name "jaybird" is about as transparent as compounds get: it joins "jay," the crow-family bird, to "bird," so a jaybird is simply a bird of the jay kind. The surprise lies in the first half. "Jay" is an old word for this family of birds, and its origin is shared with "jackdaw" and other names built on the short form "Jack," a common nickname that English speakers once attached to many small, lively birds. Because the jay is loud, bold, and quick to scold other birds, the name carries a sense of raucousness, which is why the noun is used for a noisy, chattering bird. The compound adds nothing new to that picture; it just spells out the family membership in plain English.

Synonyms: bird, jay