scorpion

English scorpion comes from Middle English scorpioun, itself drawn partly from Old English sċorpio and partly from Anglo-Norman and Old French scorpïun/escorpïon, all tracing back to Latin scorpiō, which came from Ancient Greek σκορπίος (skorpíos).

The word entered Old English directly as sċorpio, then was reinforced by French forms during Middle English, giving us the modern spelling. It once had a native rival — Old English þrōwend — but scorpion won out and pushed that word out of use entirely.

The facts note one curious offshoot: a cheerleading move called the scorpion, named because the raised, arched foot resembles the creature's curved stinger.