The year was 1966, and a soon-to-be-famous Evel Knievel had a plan to drum up business for his motorcycle shop in Moses Lake, Washington: He’d jump his motorcycle over 40 parked cars, some rattlesnakes, and a caged cougar. He didn’t quite make the jump — he landed in the pile of rattlesnakes — but somehow he escaped unscathed, and a star was born. Most called him crazy, some called him a genius, but everyone called him a “daredevil.”
Renowned daredevil Evel Knievel lived up to the title. When used as a noun, a daredevil is a “recklessly bold person,” and when used as an adjective, “daredevil” describes the “recklessly and often ostentatiously daring.” “Daredevil” first appeared in English in the late 18th century, in the writings of English poet and satirist John Wolcot. The term spread quickly, likely due to the popularity of circus performers. In the burgeoning industrial world, entertainment-based daredevils were more popular than ever, whether walking on high wires, jumping bicycles through flaming hoops, or going over Niagara Falls in barrels. However, circus performers and thrill seekers aren’t devilish or sinister, so why is the word “devil” used in this fashion?
Etymologists say it isn’t about labeling the person a devil, but “one who dares the devil.” A similar word formation is seen in “scarecrow.” The field-dwelling decoy isn’t a bird, but it scares birds away. In other words, it’s “one who scares crows.” “Pickpocket” was formed this way, too, as in “one who picks pockets,” or someone who steals. So, the masses weren’t calling daredevil Evel Knievel evil. Although, Robert Knievel did legally change his first name to “Evel,” so we doubt he’d mind the sinister connotation.
