Dogwood, Whippletree, and Swingletree: Cross-Referential Etymologies

Sayers explores the etymology of the word "dogwood" and its relationship to the plant and its uses. The Oxford English Dictionary defines dogwood as a European shrub with dark red branches, white flowers, and dark purple berries. The dictionary suggests that the name "dogwood" co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ANQ (Lexington, Ky.) Ky.), 2025-01, Vol.38 (1), p.157-159
Main Author: Sayers, William
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dictionaries
Etymology
Old English
Trees
Vocabularies & taxonomies
Word meaning
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Sayers explores the etymology of the word "dogwood" and its relationship to the plant and its uses. The Oxford English Dictionary defines dogwood as a European shrub with dark red branches, white flowers, and dark purple berries. The dictionary suggests that the name "dogwood" comes from the words "dog" and "wood," but this association is unlikely. The article proposes an alternative origin, suggesting that the Old English word "dag" meaning dye or color may have been the original source. The article also discusses the legend of the dogwood being used for Christ's cross and how this may have influenced the name. Additionally, the article explores the term "whippletree," which is another name for the dogwood. It suggests that the name may have come from the movement of the hand-driven bow used in woodturning, rather than the appearance of the tree.
ISSN:0895-769X
1940-3364
DOI:10.1080/0895769X.2023.2263508