Word of the Day: Cuckold

Cuckold: (Middle English cokewald, from Anglo-Norman *cucuald, from cucu, the cuckoo, from Vulgar Latin *cuccūlus, from Latin cucūlus.)

Word History: The allusion to the cuckoo on which the word cuckold is based may not be appreciated by those unfamiliar with the nesting habits of certain varieties of this bird. The female of some Old World cuckoos lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving them to be cared for by the resident nesters. This parasitic tendency has given the female bird a figurative reputation for unfaithfulness as well. Hence in Old French the word cucault, composed of cocu, “cuckoo, cuckold,” and the pejorative suffix-ald and used to designate a husband whose wife, lover or friend has wandered afield like the female cuckoo. An earlier assumed form of the Old French word was borrowed into Middle English by way of Anglo-Norman. Middle English cokewold, the ancestor of Modern English cuckold, is first recorded in a work written around 1250.

When was the last time you heard the word cuckold? I would expect, even if you are well read it was most likely in the Wes Anderson film, The Royal Tenenbaums. I picture Bill Murray, eyes cast down, confronting Margo after finding out about her sexual betrayal of him through years of marriage. Throughout history, the “cuckold” has typically been viewed as a fool, lacking in wit, power and general masculine wherewithal. In medieval times, the word was illustrated by legends of villagers donning horns and parading around to humiliate husbands.

I didn’t realize until today, that the word cuckold always applies to the male of the species (no matter what species that is). The female gender apparently gets a much cooler version- the cuckqean. It’s admittedly snappier sounding, but still unpleasant none-the-less.

Apparently, it’s little used because as far as the larger sense of the word’s meaning is concerned there has been no female equivalent of the cuckold. Wronged wives, lovers and friends have historically been figures of sympathy, not jest. The difference has stemmed from the fact that throughout history, a wife’s infidelity meant male power and privilege was upended, the natural order of things usurped. At least that’s the way it’s traditionally been.

Just a bit of lexiconography for your Monday consideration. Abiento.