Here's the breakdown:
* "Shuttle" comes from the Old English word "scyttel," meaning a "small boat" or "tray." This likely refers to the way the shuttlecock moves back and forth across the badminton court, much like a boat traveling across water.
* "Cock" refers to the feathered part of the shuttlecock. This term was widely used in the 16th and 17th centuries to refer to a feathered object, often used as a toy or in games.
Therefore, the word "shuttlecock" is a combination of its primary function (being shuttled back and forth) and its distinctive appearance (having a feathered "cock").
Interestingly, the game itself was originally called "battledore and shuttlecock." Battledore refers to the flat piece of wood or racket used to strike the shuttlecock.
So, the word "shuttlecock" is a perfect blend of the game's mechanics and its unique features, with its origins in the Old English language and the sport's rich history.