How Do You Spell BIRD COLONEL?

Pronunciation: [bˈɜːd kˈɜːnə͡l] (IPA)

The spelling of "bird colonel" may seem confusing to many. However, its pronunciation is clearer when represented in the IPA phonetic transcription as /bɜrd ˈkɝnəl/. The word originated in the 16th century as "colonnel", with the addition of the "bird" prefix appearing in the 17th century. The spelling of the word eventually settled into "colonel". The strange spelling is due to the word's evolution from the Italian word "colonnello", meaning "column of soldiers". As such, the spelling bears little resemblance to its spoken form.

BIRD COLONEL Meaning and Definition

1. Bird colonel is a term used primarily in American military jargon to refer to the rank of colonel. It is a playful, informal, and colloquial expression that has gained popularity due to its unique and catchy name. The term "bird" in this context has roots in the early 20th century, when insignia resembling birds was worn on the hat of a colonel in the U.S. Army. The term "colonel" itself describes a military officer rank that typically falls between lieutenant colonel and brigadier general.

   As a dictionary definition, bird colonel can be described as a nickname or slang term for a colonel in the military hierarchy, specifically used in the United States Armed Forces. It conveys a sense of informality and camaraderie among soldiers, often used in a light-hearted manner.

   The term bird colonel aligns with other imaginative and whimsical military nicknames, such as "full bird" for colonels and "full bird colonel" for colonels who have served the entirety of their career in that rank. While the term bird colonel is not an official or recognized designation, it has become widely known and accepted among military personnel and civilians interested in military culture.

Common Misspellings for BIRD COLONEL

• vird colonel
• nird colonel
• hird colonel
• gird colonel
• burd colonel
• bjrd colonel
• bkrd colonel
• bord colonel
• b9rd colonel
• b8rd colonel
• bied colonel
• bidd colonel
• bifd colonel
• bitd colonel
• bi5d colonel
• bi4d colonel
• birs colonel
• birx colonel
• birc colonel
• birf colonel

Etymology of BIRD COLONEL

The term "bird colonel" is believed to have originated in the United States military. Its etymology is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories about its origin.

One theory suggests that "bird colonel" comes from the gold eagle insignia worn by colonels in the U.S. Army. The eagle insignia, often referred to as a "bird", is considered a higher rank than a silver oak leaf worn by a lieutenant colonel. Thus, the term "bird colonel" could have emerged to describe a colonel of higher rank.

Another theory suggests that the term may have originated from the pronunciation of the word "colonel" itself. In some dialects or accents, the "r" sound in "colonel" tends to be dropped, which can make the word sound similar to "kernel".

Plural form of BIRD COLONEL is BIRD COLONELS