2006-09-25 05:14:38 · 5 answers · asked by Tiff 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Evesdrop
–noun
3. water that drips from the eaves.
4. the ground on which such water falls.
Origin: bef. 900; (n.) ME evesdrope, evesdripe, OE yfesdrype; as v., prob. back formation from eavesdropper, late ME evisdroppyr, appar. lit., one who stands on the eavesdrop in order to listen to conversations inside the house; see eave, drop, drip]
2006-09-25 05:25:42 · answer #1 · answered by Gin Martini 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From On-Line Etymology:
eavesdropper
1487, from O.E. yfesdrype "place around a house where the rainwater drips off the roof," from eave (q.v.) + drip. Technically, "one who stands at walls or windows to overhear what's going on inside."
From Your Dictionary:
Etymology: Today's verb is from a noun that originally pointed to a person who stands in the eavesdrop of a house in order to hear what is being spoken inside. The eavesdrop (or eavesdrip) of a house is that area beneath the overhang of the roof (eave) where water drips like so many words from someone's lips. "Eaves" comes from Old English "yfes," a descendent of PIE *upo which also gave us "over," "above," and "up" while giving Greek "hyper," Latin "super," and Sanskrit the upa "near, under" in "Upanishads," the canon of treatises elaborating on the Hindu Vedas, from upa + ni "down + sad "sit."
2006-09-25 07:45:32 · answer #2 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im guessing, but the eaves are high up and a place you could hide years ago. If someone is hiding in the eaves listening to a conversation then they are eavesdropping.
2006-09-25 05:31:17 · answer #3 · answered by angeldust 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It conjures up a laugh...I dont know, but I can imagine.
Picture this...a guy is standing under his porch listening to the couple sitting on the couch which is close to an open door...All of a sudden...BANG, CRASH,...ooowwwch!!...The couple get up and go look. They find the neighbour on the ground underneath all this rubble that once was their eaves. It had dropped onto his head. ......... maybe... thats where it came from...eavesdropper!!... good luck, hope you find the correct answer, but I hope this made your day....
2006-09-25 05:21:23 · answer #4 · answered by ozzy chik... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to drop your ears to listen to the word coming to you
2006-09-30 23:29:44 · answer #5 · answered by subra m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋