The dodo (pronounced doe-doe) was a heavy, flightless bird found on Mauritius Island before it became extinct in the late 17th century. It was related to the pidgeon but larger than a turkey. It did not know enough to fear people, whom it had been isolated from until being discovered in 1598, and would often walk up to them on the island only to be clubbed and then eaten. By 1681 it was gone.
Dodo is a term that is often used to describe a person who is dumb because many viewed the bird as "stupid" for being such easy prey. It's too bad innocence and friendliness were not simply regarded as attractive qualities.
(Sources: Webster's New Explorer Encyclopedic Dictionary, Mirriam-Webster, 2006; http://www.davidreilly.com/dodo/images/gallery/dronte.JPG; http://www.davidreilly.com/dodo/background.html; http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4eldaXoJbA/TWB2BT7yDaI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/roD99gExE74/s1600/dodo.jpg )
I hope you enjoyed this entry from myself, Trish, with the help of my husband, Otto.
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