2007-07-19 10:19:39 · 3 answers · asked by shortstuff 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Nobody really knows. It first appeared as a work in Old English around the 1300's.
Some think it might have come from roots in that language (the word 'ei' for egg) for being egg-shaped. Others suggest that it may have come from the word 'cod' (as in codpiece) which meant a shell or husk; seed-shaped instead of egg-shaped.
But it's hard to be certain. It certainly does have a shape, though. Heh.
2007-07-19 10:35:08 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-09-22 11:40:56 · answer #2 · answered by Dorthy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question and not easy to answer but I had a guess...
The Greek word for kidney is nephr, so the ney bit might have come from the Greek. That leaves the kid.
Answers.com says it comes from Middle English "kidenei" but how it got there is another question.
2007-07-19 10:29:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋