eavesdrop的词源

英文词源

eavesdrop (v.)

"lurk near a place to hear what is said inside," c. 1600, probably a back-formation from eavesdropper. The original notion is listening from under the eaves of a house. Related: Eavesdropping.

中文词源

eavesdrop：偷听

字面意思为屋檐低水处，引申义偷听。

该词的英语词源请访问趣词词源英文版：eavesdrop 词源，eavesdrop 含义。

eavesdrop：偷听

其中eave是单词“屋檐”，-drop和drip（水滴）同源；它的本义是指，下雨天，屋檐落下的雨滴和房屋外壁之间的区域；其实就是指会有人在屋檐下偷听屋内的谈话。eave（屋檐）和over（在上方）同源，屋檐就位于房屋的上方。