Dėstytojas nuovadoje: Snaperis

sniper (n.): "sharpshooter; one who shoots from a hidden place," 1824, agent noun from snipe (v.). The birds were considered a challenging target for an expert shooter:

Snipe Shooting is a good trial of the gunner's skill, who often engages in this diversion, without the assistance of a dog of any kind; a steady pointer, however, is a good companion. ["Sportsman's Calendar," London, December 1818]

snipe (v.): "shoot from a hidden place," 1773 (among British soldiers in India), in reference to hunting snipe as game, from snipe (n.). Figurative use from 1892. Related: Sniped; sniping.
snipe (n.): long-billed marsh bird, early 14c., from Old Norse -snipa in myrisnipa "moor snipe;" perhaps a common Germanic term (cf. Old Saxon sneppa, Middle Dutch snippe, Dutch snip, Old High German snepfa, German Schnepfe "snipe," Swedish snäppa "sandpiper"), perhaps originally "snipper." The Old English name was snite, which is of uncertain derivation. An opprobrious term (cf. guttersnipe) since c.1600.

They are characterized by a very long, slender bill...


Gallinago, Gallinago.

The Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is a small, stocky wader native to the Old World.

Perkūno oželis (lot. Gallinago gallinago, angl. common snipe, vok. Bekassine) – tilvikinių (Scolopacidae) šeimos veiklus sutemų paukštis su išilgai dryžuota galva, tik viršūnėje baltais uodegos šonais. Pabaidytas savotiškai rikteli ir skrenda mėtydamasis į šonus.

Snapas tiesus, gerokai ilgesnis už galvą, tamsiai rudas.

Paukščio pavadinimas paremtas senaisiais lietuvių tikėjimais. Laikytas dievo Perkūno palydovu, Perkūno oželis siųstas pranešti žmonėms apie besiartinančią perkūniją ir audras. Prieš audrą paukštis tyliai kyla aukštyn ir staiga leidžiasi žemyn, bliaudamas lyg ožio balsu, o pavasarį, kai pirmą kartą sumekena Perkūno oželis, tikėta – greitai ateis perkūnija.

Snaiperis!

2014-02-26