Discovering the Squirrel
If you have ever spent a quiet afternoon in a park, you have almost certainly spotted a squirrel darting across the grass or scurrying up a tree. These energetic rodents are famous for their quick movements and large, bushy tails. Whether you are interested in wildlife or just looking to expand your vocabulary, understanding this word is a fun way to learn about both nature and English idioms.
What Does Squirrel Mean?
The word squirrel primarily refers to a small to medium-sized rodent belonging to the family Sciuridae. These animals are generally arboreal, meaning they spend much of their lives living in trees. However, the word has also evolved to include a common verb form that describes how these animals act.
As a noun, squirrel has two main definitions:
- A kind of arboreal rodent: These creatures are known for having long, bushy tails and a diet consisting of nuts, seeds, and fruits.
- The fur of a squirrel: Historically, this fur has been used in clothing and textiles.
The Verb: To Squirrel Away
One of the most interesting ways to use this word is as a verb. When we say someone is squirreling away something, we are using a metaphor based on the animal’s behavior of hiding food for the winter. In human terms, it means to store, hide, or save something for future use.
Here are a few ways to use it in conversation:
- "She has been squirreling away small amounts of money from every paycheck to buy a new car."
- "I found a box in the attic where my grandfather used to squirrel away old love letters."
- "Even though it was only July, he decided to squirrel away his winter firewood in the shed."
Grammar and Usage
Because squirrel is a versatile word, it is helpful to remember how it functions in a sentence:
- As a noun: It is a countable noun. You can see "a squirrel" in the park or "three squirrels" running across your lawn.
- As a verb: The verb form is almost always used as a phrasal verb: "to squirrel away." It is often used in the continuous tense (squirreling) when describing a long-term habit of saving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learners sometimes confuse the pronunciation and spelling of squirrel. The word is notoriously tricky to spell because of the "quir" combination. Remember that it starts with an s and has a silent "q" sound transition before the "rel" ending.
Another common mistake is thinking the verb only refers to food. While squirrels do this with nuts, humans can squirrel away anything: money, documents, supplies, or even secrets. It implies a sense of secrecy or careful preparation for a time when you might need those items later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "squirrel" used to describe a person?
Sometimes, calling someone a "squirrel" can be an informal way to describe them as being busy, restless, or scatterbrained, though this is less common than the animal reference.
What is the plural of squirrel?
The plural is simply squirrels. You just add an "s" to the end of the noun.
Can you "squirrel" something without "away"?
While you might see it in very specific literary contexts, it is almost standard practice to use the phrasal verb "squirrel away" when talking about hiding or saving things.
Are all squirrels the same?
No! There are many types of squirrels, including ground squirrels, tree squirrels, and even flying squirrels. However, in casual English, we usually just refer to all of them simply as a squirrel.
Conclusion
The word squirrel is a perfect example of how language takes inspiration from the natural world. Whether you are pointing out a cute animal in the trees or describing how you are carefully saving money in your bank account, you are using a word that is deeply rooted in both biology and human behavior. Keep your eyes open on your next walk—you might just find a squirrel preparing for the season, providing you with a perfect real-life example of the word in action!