What does bellwether mean, and where does the word come from?

Answer 1

In sociology, a bellwether (often, incorrectly, bellweather or bellwhether) is a person or group of people who tend to create, influence or set trends.

Science fiction author Connie Willis wrote a novel about bossy sheep:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553562967/novelspot-20/002-7028859-5829626?%5Fencoding=UTF8&camp=1789&link%5Fcode=xm2

The word comes from the 13th century and first meant a wether (that is, a castrated male sheep) which wore a bell. Wether is Old English and dates from the 9th century. Bellwethers were noted for their docile nature and were used to lead flocks, especially to the slaughter. A curious feature of old sheep slaughter-houses was that the final run before the slaughter-pen had a side gate in the fence, known as a bellwether gate. Along comes the dopey bellwether down the sheep run, followed by trusting flock, then, at the last moment, wallop!, the shepherd slips the bellwether through the bellwether gate and the other sheep trot on, oblivious to their imminent doom. The bellwether was then introduced to a new flock and the sinister cycle was repeated.
http://www.takeourword.com/Issue018.html

I also came across this statement from someone who showed sheep:
heep have to be herded or led and can’t be told what to do. But like all animals, they’re very good at going to food. The point of a belled sheep (I never knew it was a bellwether) was this: if a sheep with a bell went to the food, the others would learn in relatively short order (for sheep) that they should follow the bell to food. Then you use that lesson to take them anywhere.
http://diveintomark.org/archives/2003/04/14/bellwether

Who knew that was such an interesting word?

Answer 2

Wether is an old English word for sheep. It was common practice to attach a bell round the neck of a senior sheep in a flock and as it moved the others would follow. It also made finding the flock easier for the shepherd. This sheep became the bellwether for tha flock.
This, obviously, is more appropriate for flocks of mountain sheep.

Answer 3

Bellwether Meaning

Answer 4

In politics, a bellwether state is a state that sets the trend, is the leader for a new way of thinking, creating and implementing new policy. The first to do something.

Answer 5

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Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S., it is the 7th-most populous with nearly 11.5 million residents. The state's capital is Columbus. The Anglicized name 'Ohio' comes from the Iroquois word ohi-yo’, meaning 'great river'. The state, originally partitioned from the Northwest Territory, was admitted to the Union as the 17th state (and the first under the Northwest Ordinance) on March 1, 1803. Although there are conflicting narratives regarding the origin of the nickname, Ohio is historically known as the 'Buckeye State' (relating to the Ohio Buckeye Tree) and Ohioans are also known as 'Buckeyes.' The government of Ohio is composed of the executive branch, led by the Governor; the legislative branch, which comprises the Ohio General Assembly; and the judicial branch, which is led by the Supreme Court. Currently, Ohio occupies 18 seats in the United States House of Representatives. Ohio is known for its status as both a swing state and a bellwether in national elections. The population density of Ohio ranks ninth among all U.S. states. Nonetheless, Ohio currently has a negative net population migration, and an increasing rate of unemployment!

Answer 6

I have a friend that lives where Clinger did from Mash!!...Hawkeyey knows where I mean The great City of TOLEDO!!!!!!!!!! She left Myrtle Beach in Feb and when she got to Ohio she was in tears telling me how much snow there was and how cold it was.She wanted to take the next bus back to the Beach....HAHAHAHAHAHA That's what you get foe going!!!!! Now that Summer is here and she lives in High Rise Apartment and it has no air Conditioning and shes on the 6th floor!!!! I don't even want to know how that feels.She has fans and is saving up for a few Air Conditioners and I sent her a few bucks to at least get one for the most important part of the house and to stop sweating!! Shes doing better and all the air is on and she is now cooling off!!!!!!

Answer 7

I have to add that sheep are NOT stupid! They'll find the one hole in 40 miles of fencing! They get their reputation from their flocking instinct. Hence, where one goes, the others will always follow, to keep the flock together. When cornered, the ewes and lambs will gather in the center and the rams (with their horns) will stand in the outermost circle.

Answer 8

1. an indicator of future developments or trends

2. somebody who leads others

3. a sheep that leads the rest of the flock, usually wearing a bell around its neck ( archaic )

Answer 9

leader
the leader sheep of the heard wears a bell