The origin of the word "toy" is unknown, but it is believed that it was first used in the 14th century. The actual origin of whirligigs is unknown. Both farmers and sailors use weathervanes on an ongoing basis and the assumption is one or both groups are likely the originators. A whirligig is an object that spins or whirls, or has at least one member that spins or whirls. Whirligigs are also known as pinwheels, buzzers, gee-haws, spinners, whirlygigs, whirlijig, whirlyjig, whirlybird, or plain whirly.