frog1

 
Pronunciation: /frɒg/

noun

  • 1a tailless amphibian with a short squat body, moist smooth skin, and very long hind legs for leaping.
    • Frogs are found in most families of the order Anura, but the ‘true frogs’ are confined to the large family Ranidae, which includes the European common frog (Rana temporaria)
  • 2 (Frog) informal, derogatory a French person.

Phrases

have a frog in one's throat

informal lose one’s voice or find it hard to speak because of hoarseness.

Origin:

Old English frogga, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vors and German Frosch. Used as a general term of abuse in Middle English, the term was applied specifically to the Dutch in the 17th century; its application to the French (late 18th century) is partly alliterative, partly from the reputation of the French for eating frogs' legs