Well attestedNamed from the place
Pearl Harbor
noun · first attested 1940s
The harbor is named for the pearl oysters that once grew in it.
A devastating surprise attack delivered without warning.
21.3619°N -157.9536°W · Q127091
Record
- Relationship
- Named from the place
- Confidence
- Well attestedThe place link is the standard scholarly account.
- Attested
- 1940s
- Part of speech
- noun
Explanations here are written for this atlas. Dictionary text is not copied; the sources are linked so the claim can be checked.
- Step 1
Pearl Harbor
- In English
Pearl Harbor
Hawaiians called the inlet Wai Momi, water of pearl, for oyster beds that later died off as the lagoon was silted and dredged for the naval base. After December 1941 the place name became an English common noun, and in slang even a verb for striking first without warning.
United States
All 153 entries 152 more words from United States
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