Twitter

/ˈtwɪtɚ/ verb, noun

Definition

To speak rapidly and nervously, or light chirping sounds made by birds; also a social media platform.

Etymology

From Middle English 'twitren,' likely imitative in origin, related to 'twitch.' The social media platform (founded 2006) borrowed the word for its connection to light, rapid communication, much like bird chirps.

Kelly Says

Twitter the app perfectly captures the original word's meaning—brief chirps of thought! The founders chose it because tweets are short like bird songs, and the logo is a bird. Onomatopoeia met Silicon Valley!

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