Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swenh₂-der. Proto-Indo-European *swónh₂-osder. Proto-Germanic *swanaz Proto-West Germanic *swan Old English swan Middle English swan English swan From Middle English swan, from Old English swan, from Proto-West Germanic *swan, from Proto-Germanic *swanaz (“swan”, literally “the singing bird”), from Proto-Indo-European *swonh₂-/*swenh₂- (“to sing, make sound”). Cognate with West Frisian swan, Low German Swaan, swan, Dutch zwaan, German Schwan, Danish svane, Norwegian svane, Swedish svan. Related also to Old English ġeswin (“melody, song”), Old English swinsian (“to make melody”). Further cognates include (possibly) Russian звон (zvon, “ring, chime”); Latin sonus (“sound”), Sanskrit स्वन् (svan, “sound”). Doublet of sound.
1
Any of various species of large, long-necked waterfowl, of genus Cygnus (bird family: Anatidae), most of which have white plumage.
2
Figuratively One whose grace etc. suggests a swan.
3
Government, Heraldry, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Monarchy, Nobility, Politics This bird used as a heraldic charge, sometimes with a crown around its neck (e. g. the arms of Buckinghamshire).
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swenh₂-der. Proto-Indo-European *swónh₂-osder. Proto-Germanic *swanaz Proto-West Germanic *swan Old English swan Middle English swan English swan From Middle English swan, from Old English swan, from Proto-West Germanic *swan, from Proto-Germanic *swanaz (“swan”, literally “the singing bird”), from Proto-Indo-European *swonh₂-/*swenh₂- (“to sing, make sound”). Cognate with West Frisian swan, Low German Swaan, swan, Dutch zwaan, German Schwan, Danish svane, Norwegian svane, Swedish svan. Related also to Old English ġeswin (“melody, song”), Old English swinsian (“to make melody”). Further cognates include (possibly) Russian звон (zvon, “ring, chime”); Latin sonus (“sound”), Sanskrit स्वन् (svan, “sound”). Doublet of sound.
1
To travel or move about in an aimless, idle, or pretentiously casual way.
He swans around that stinking office in his expensive clothes that are a little too tight for comfort, he swans around that stinking office without a care in the world.2010, Lee Rourke, The Canal, Melville House Publishing, →ISBN, unnumbered page:
One of the few strokes of good luck Emma had had in recent days was the news that Tatiana Flint-Hamilton, her only real rival for top billing as 'most photographable girl' at today's event had decided to swan off to Sardinia instead, leaving the limelight entirely to Emma.2013, Tilly Bagshawe, One Summer’s Afternoon, HarperCollins, →ISBN:
2 more examples
On the other side: the rich, beautiful tapestry of WASP culture that constituted Levis's life—friends playing horseshoes at backyard cocktail parties, where girls swanned in chaise longues, clinking their gin and tonics.2022, Ling Ma, “G”, in Bliss Montage, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, →ISBN:
He developed the Capitalcard, which combined Tube and train travel - a return fare from a NSE station would include free Tube travel for the day after 0930, with the slogan 'Swanning around London' on posters featuring the bird.2026 April 1, Christian Wolmar, “Managers must be given freedom to make decisions”, in RAIL, number 1058, page 35:
swan
verb
Etymology Probably from dialectal I s’wan, a corruption of I shall warrant; or possibly from a minced form of I swear on.
1
US, Colloquial, Dialectal To declare (chiefly in first-person present constructions).
"Well, I swan, man, I had a better opinion of you than that."1907 December, J. D. Archer, “Foiling an eavesdropper”, in Telephony, volume 14, page 345:
‘She slammed the door so hard I figured a window'd break […].’ ‘I swan,’ I said.1940, Raymond Chandler, Farewell, My Lovely, Penguin, published 2010, page 214:
Swan
noun
Etymology From swan, the bird. * (surname): An English nickname from the swan bird.
1
someone connected with the Sydney Swans, as a fan, player, coach, etc.
Australian rules football
Swan
noun
Etymology Clipping of Swansea.
1
Ball games, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Soccer, Sports someone connected with Swansea City Football Club, as a fan, player, coach, etc.
The Swans will doubtless recover, but they will head home this evening knowing that they didn't do themselves justice in a game that means so much to supporters.2013 November 3, Delme Parfitt, “Cardiff City 1 - 0 Swansea City: Steven Caulker heads Bluebirds to South Wales derby win”, in Wales Online: