# go the way of the dodo

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/go-the-way-of-the-dodo
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To go extinct or become obsolete or defunct; to fall out of common practice or use; to become a thing of the past.

## Examples

- Typewriters went the way of the dodo.
- I think cash payments go the way of the dodo in this city.
- After streaming took over, video rental shops went the way of the dodo within a few years.
- Many people worry that physical newspapers will go the way of the dodo as more readers switch to getting their daily news from social media apps.
- The old customs, once fiercely defended by the elders, gradually went the way of the dodo as younger generations embraced modern ways.

## Origin

The expression refers to the extinction of *Raphus cucullatus*, a flightless bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. It is believed that the species vanished during the 17th century as a direct consequence of human activity, though the exact date of its final disappearance remains a matter of some debate. The idiom draws upon this total erasure from the natural world to describe anything that has become obsolete or ceased to exist. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.