Where does “wag” come from?
wag (Afrikaans) comes from Dutch wachten, from Middle Dutch wachten, from Old Dutch wahton, from Old Dutch wahta, from Proto-West Germanic wahtu, from Proto-Germanic wahtwō, from Proto-Germanic wakaną, from Proto-Indo-European weǵ- — lively, awake; strong.
wag (Afrikaans): guard; to wait
Ancestry of “wag”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Dutch | wachten | to wait |
| 2 | Middle Dutch | wachten | to guard, to be on guard; to guard, to protect;... |
| 3 | Old Dutch | wahton | — |
| 4 | Old Dutch | wahta | watch, sentry, guard |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | wahtu | watch, vigil |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | wahtwō | watch, vigil |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | wakaną | to wake, be awake, arise |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | weǵ- | lively, awake; strong |