I've spent most of my life with squirrels in the yard or somewhere nearby. I've watched them build nests (these photographed in our neighborhood yesterday) and marveled at how such a porous structure could provide shelter in -20 degree temperatures.
But in all these years I have never read (or heard) a squirrel nest referred to as a "drey" until I encountered the term this past week, I think in a Fortean Times article. Perhaps the term is more commonly used in Great Britain.
The etymology is unknown. Even my OED doesn't offer a suggestion, other than to indicate that it is "local." Perhaps it is an ancient word, dating back to Saxon times.
Interesting fact: "Even though they are brown in the winter, the leaves surrounding the drey continue to cling tightly to their branches because they were harvested well before the tree began the process of shutting down and shedding its leaves." I had wondered about that too. You learn something every day.
It's a word I have known since early childhood, thanks to reading Enid Blyton. And yes, I'm in the UK.
ReplyDeleteAround here, they are called "squirrel nests". They are so easy to spot when the leaves fall off. It always amazes me that something could survive the extended below 0F temps in something like that. I guess if you are that small, you do not need a lot of insulation.
ReplyDeleteI could swear you covered this years ago.
ReplyDeleteYour site is where I learned the word.
You're quite right ! Four years ago -
Deletehttp://tywkiwdbi.blogspot.com/2013/02/word-for-day-drey.html
I even used the exact same title!
You learn something every day. And then you forget it.
Another Brit here: I've also been using the word since childhood, and a quick check around my office demonstrated that it's common parlance. (The only person who didn't call a drey a drey was an American colleague!)
ReplyDeleteIve been at war with squirrels this winter who have considered my house to be their much improved drey. I'll tell you this is one fight you don't want to fight, they are determined little buggers. But it has been quiet for the past week and a half owing to the mine field of rat traps surrounding their entry hole. Haven't trapped a squirrel but I've caught A LOT of squirrel fur. Must have scared the B'Jesus out of them. In the spring I'll fill those holes with copper mesh and spray insulation foam. This on a 7 pitch roof which I hope won't be the squirrel's final revenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks. But I had to look up "7 pitch: -
Deletehttp://myrooff.com/roof-pitch-in-degrees/