A Duck in Cricket Is Named After an Egg
A duck is a waterbird, and also a score of zero in cricket. The duck's egg gave the term its name.
A duck is a waterbird, and to duck is to lower the head quickly. Both are the same word: Old English *duce* meant a diver, from the verb, so the bird is named for what it does. In cricket, a batter dismissed without scoring is out for a duck, short for *duck's egg*, because a zero on the scoreboard looks like one — the American equivalent is a goose egg. A third *duck* is a strong cotton canvas, from Dutch *doek*, cloth.
- A waterbird. *A wild duck.*
- To lower the head. *Duck under the branch.*
- A score of zero. *Out for a duck.*
- A heavy canvas. *Cotton duck.*
- Old English — *duce*, a diver. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | duck | A duck. |
| Plural | ducks | Ducks. |
| Verb | duck | Ducking. |
| Compound | duckling | A duckling. |
| Dutch | doek | Cloth. |
- Ducks landed on the pond.Bird.
- He ducked under the beam.Verb.
- She was out for a duck.Cricket.
Duck idioms
- Like water off a duck's back — criticism that does not stick
- A sitting duck — an easy target
- Lame duck — an office holder whose term is ending
- Get your ducks in a row — organise everything first
- Take to it like a duck to water — adapt naturally
Old English *duce*, a diver, from the verb *ducan*, to dive or duck down.
Why is a score of zero called a duck?
It is short for duck's egg, because a zero on the scoreboard resembles one. Americans call the same thing a goose egg.
Is the bird named after the verb?
Yes. Old English duce meant a diver, from the verb meaning to duck down, so the bird is named for its behaviour.