Definition of the word squirrel away

The expression "squirrel away" refers to the behavior of squirrels as they gather and hoard nuts and other food items for the winter. The verb "squirrel" is thought to have originated from the Old English word "scirle," which means "to chatter" or "to shake." The idea was later associated with these rodents due to the way they rustle and squeak as they bury their nuts in the ground. The term "squirrel away" came into use in the mid-1800s as a way to describe how humans could engage in similar behavior, as in "saving money" or "stashing away resources" for future use. This figurative language has since become a common idiom in the English language, often used to describe the act of storing or concealing something for safekeeping. The origins of this idiom illustrate how language can evolve and intertwine with cultural and environmental meanings. By drawing parallels between human actions and the behaviors of animals, we can create rich and descriptive expressions that resonate beyond their literal definitions.