Chrysti The Wordsmith: Jay - 2

Greetings and welcome to Christie the wordsmith. Last time on this series the raucous bluejay made an appearance as the inspiration of the American expression jaywalk to cross the street heedless of traffic laws. In the East Coast of the early 20th century rural folks visiting the cities were often called Jays because like the bird country dwellers were perceived as obnoxious and uncouth by their city cousins. Crossing busy streets gawking at buildings and automobiles and with no concern for local traffic regulations rural visitors were said to jaywalk. This bird assumes a starring role in another American expression naked as a jaybird referring to one who is nude starkly so often finding himself for whatever reason exposed in a public setting. Now this is another example of a well-loved idiom whose origin is a puzzlement. The blue jay or jay bird never appears to be naked. In fact it's splendidly attired in a mantle of blue white and black feathers. So why the simile.

Naked as a jaybird. There is some talk in etymological tomes that the expression derives from the bird in its hatchling state it's born without feathers. But so are many other birds why not make it as a pigeon or a finch. We're left to guess at the origin of this American idiom. Next time a logical theory from a notable word watcher. I'm Christie the wordsmith from Montana State University in Bozeman. CHRISTIE The wordsmith is sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Zoot enterprises a high tech firm in Bozeman Montana offering challenging careers and innovative solutions for the financial services industry. Zoot web dot com.