etymology of 'mosquito'
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If 'mosquito' is derived from 'mosca', why does the gender change?
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updated Jul 26, 2010
posted by jlupine
1 Answer
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c.1583, from Sp. mosquito "little gnat," dim. of mosca "fly," from L. musca "fly," from PIE base *mu-, perhaps imitative of the sound of humming insects. Colloquial form skeeter is attested from 1839.
I guess it changes because it ends in "o"
updated Jul 26, 2010
edited by ian-hill
posted by ian-hill
They meant WHY does it end in o....they realize the gender changes. - socceryo3, Jul 25, 2010
Because "ito" means "little" = diminutive.And the "c" in mosca has to change to "qu" - ian-hill, Jul 26, 2010
Why it did not become "la mosquita" - I have no idea. - ian-hill, Jul 26, 2010
