# Origin of "squid"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-squid/196225>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 19, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-squid/196225 "2003-08-19T16:02:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![shagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@shagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shagene)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-squid/196225/1 "2003-08-19T16:02:20Z")

</div>

Does anybody truly know the origin of the term “squid” as it applies to a motorcycle rider? I have seen many suggested origins, but the only one that seems to make sense to me is that is is short for “squirrely kid”.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Qburn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/bc79bd/32.png) [@Qburn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qburn)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-squid/196225/2 "2003-08-19T16:15:04Z")

</div>

It’s what you become when you crash your bike, especially for those racing on paved courses

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-squid/196225/3 "2003-08-19T17:23:26Z")

</div>

**S** uperconducting **QU** antum **I** nterference **D** evice  
What?

Oh

[Emily Litella] Never Mind![/Emily Litella]