Dictionary

owling en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˈaʊ.lɪŋ/
• (US) audio

Etymology

From owl + -ing. Smuggling of sheep is so called because it was done at night, when owls call.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) Birding, specifically to catch owls.
2. (historical, uncountable) The smuggling of sheep or wool out of England.
3. (Internet, uncountable) A variation on planking in which a person is photographed or filmed squatting down in an unusual location.
   • Planking was soon replaced by owling. 2012 March 28, Trey Parker, “Faith Hilling”, in South Park, season 16, episode 3, spoken by Reporter:

Relateds

owler

owling en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /ˈaʊ.lɪŋ/
• (US) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *uwwô Proto-Germanic *-ulǭ Proto-Germanic *uwwulǭ Proto-West Germanic *uwwulā Old English ūle Middle English oule English owl Proto-Indo-European *-lósder. Proto-Germanic *-ilaz Proto-Indo-European *-n̥kʷo-der.? Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Germanic *-īnaz Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz ? Proto-Germanic *-ingaz Proto-Germanic *-ilingaz Proto-West Germanic *-ling Old English -ling Middle English -ling English -ling English owling From owl + -ling.

Meanings

1. A small, juvenile, or baby owl; owlet.
   • But the spotted owl isn't at the top of the food chain. Instead, the larger great horned owl will eat spotted owls, owlings, or eggs whenever it can. 1994, Cascade Holistic Economic Consultants, Different drummer magazine, volume 1, number 1, page 22:
   • Owls are extra hungry then, there being a batch of Greatlings or Hornlings or Owlings or whatever Great Horned Owl babies are called sitting on the edge of a nest waiting on Pa and Ma Owl to bring home the bacon. 1940, Canadian Forestry Association, Forest and outdoors - Volume 36 - Page 344:
   • Eumeus, who was sitting on the stairs, pointed to the roof of the stable. Perched on its top, huddled together, three owlings were ogling them. 1985, Romanian Review, volume 39, numbers 6-12, page 22:

Forms