• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Zippy Facts Logo

Zippy Facts

Interesting Random Facts

  • Animals
  • Culture
  • Firsts
  • Food
  • Geography
  • Health
  • History
  • Inventions
  • Language
  • Mythology
  • Odds
  • People
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Space
  • Universe
  • World
You are here: Home / Language / Where does the expression “eager beaver” come from and What does eager beaver mean?

Where does the expression “eager beaver” come from and What does eager beaver mean?

March 13, 2020 by Karen Hill

An “eager beaver” is a person who is always “rarin’ to go,” eager to start at whatever is to be done.

Undoubtedly the term developed naturally from one who “works like a beaver,” one who works rapidly and assiduously.

It bears no relation to the “beaver” or full beard worn by some men.

This latter term was transferred from ancient helmets, from the movable part of the helmet covering the chin, called “beaver” from Old French baviere, a bib.

Let me add, before I’m accused of missing a point, that the modern “eager beaver” is usually so overly zealous as to attempt duties that do not concern him, and thus he becomes an obnoxious character, one thoroughly disliked by his associates.

Related Facts

  • How Did the Beaver Get its Name, What Does Beaver Mean in Welsh, and Where Does the Beaver Come From?
  • Where does the phrase “eager beaver” come from and What does it mean?
  • How Was the Land On Earth Created In Cree Mythology and How Did Wisagatuck Capture a Beaver?
  • Top 25 Inventions That Changed the World
  • What was the European Age of Exploration?
  • Top 25 Inventions That Changed Our Lives Forever

Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « Where does the phrase “to go to the dogs” come from and What does it mean?
Next Post: Where does the term “baby kisser” come from and What does baby kisser mean? »

Footer

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • GitHub
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Medium
  • Pinterest
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Categories

Accomplishments Animals Culture Firsts Food Geography Health History Inventions Language Mythology Odds People Religion Science Space Universe World Your Body

About

Zippy Facts empowers the world by serving educational content that is accessible to everyone.

A tribute to growing up, zippyfacts.com showcases interesting and unusual facts about the world.

Our mission is to use technology to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing.

Copyright © 2020 Zippy Facts

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy