The spelling of the word "squirreled" is somewhat unusual and can cause confusion when attempting to write it correctly. The reason for this is because the word contains numerous letter combinations that do not conform to typical English spelling rules. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word can be written as /ˈskwɜːrəld/, which breaks down into the sounds "skw" for the beginning syllable, "ɜːr" for the middle, and "əld" for the end. Despite its challenging spelling, "squirreled" remains a popular term in English language usage.
Squirreled is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "squirrel." This term is used to describe the action of squirrels as they collect, store, or hide food or objects in various locations for future use or retrieval. The term can also be metaphorically applied to humans or other animals exhibiting similar behavior, emphasizing the secretive or hoarding nature of their actions.
In a literal sense, squirreling often involves the meticulous gathering of nuts, seeds, or other food items by squirrels and their subsequent burying or stashing in hidden spots like tree cavities, burrows, or holes in the ground to ensure a food supply during periods of scarcity. This behavior is observed especially in preparation for winter or during times when food availability is uncertain.
Metaphorically, the verb "squirreled" refers to the act of individuals collecting or hiding objects, resources, or information for future use or as a means of self-interest or preservation. This term can be used in various contexts, such as when someone hides money in a secret location, keeps secrets or important documents hidden away, or accumulates resources or knowledge discreetly for personal advantage or security.
Overall, "squirreled" describes the action of gathering and storing items in a hidden manner, either literally by squirrels or metaphorically by individuals engaging in secretive or hoarding behaviors.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "squirreled" is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "squirrel".
The etymology of "squirrel" dates back to the late 14th century. It originates from the Old French word "esquirel", which was used to refer to the animal we now call a squirrel. The Old French term was derived from the Vulgar Latin "scuriolus", meaning "squirrel" or "shadow-tailed".
The Latin term "scuriolus" was a diminutive form of "scurra", meaning "jester" or "buffoon". This association of the squirrel with jesters or buffoons may be due to its quick and playful nature, as well as its characteristic habit of gathering and storing nuts for the winter.