Several similar forms can be found in Middle English, in reference to a magpie and by extension, a tattling woman: see kikelot, n. and giglet n.. Zettersten (1964) Middle English Word Studies p.13-14, disputes the ornithological derivation and believes the word derives from the root rik- (FEW 10,406a) with a double diminutive, and should be associated to Continental French words such as riquer ‘creak’ and riqueter ‘grin’.