Definition of the word gavel

The word "gavel" indeed has an interesting etymology. It originated from the Old Norse word "gafell," which in turn came from the Old Norse words "gafr" (hawk) and "fellr" (falconer). The Old Norse word "gafell" referred to a wooden baton that falconers used to train their birds of prey. When the Vikings migrated to England, they brought this word with them, and it entered the English language around the 13th century. Originally, the word "gavel" mainly referred to any wooden mallet, not necessarily the one used by judges. In the 16th century, the term "gavel" began to refer more specifically to the wooden hammer used by judges during meetings or in court settings. This usage seems to have arisen from the similarity between the swinging motion of the hammer and the swinging motion of the judge's arm as they banged their gavel to call the courtroom to order. Overall, the word "gavel" has gone through a fascinating linguistic journey, starting as a tool for training birds of prey and ending up as a symbol of authority and judicial order.