Where does “middenstander” come from?
middenstander (Dutch) comes from Dutch middenstand, from Dutch stand, from English stand, from English op, from English op shop, from English opportunity, from English opportune, from Middle French opportunité — passed , crossed.
middenstander (Dutch): a small retail business owner, retailer
Definitions
- a small retail business owner, retailer
Ancestry of “middenstander”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dutch | middenstand | retail, small retail businesses; middle-class |
| 2 | Dutch | stand | posture, position, bearing; rank, standing,... |
| 3 | English | stand | "To position or be positioned physically."; "To... |
| 4 | English | op | An operation; An amateur radio operator; An... |
| 5 | English | op shop | A shop, usually operated by a charity, to which... |
| 6 | English | opportunity | A chance for advancement, progress or profit; A... |
| 7 | English | opportune | Suitable for some particular purpose; At a... |
| 8 | Middle French | opportunité | — |
| 9 | Latin | opportūnitās | convenience, fitness |
| 10 | Latin | opportūnus | suitable |
| 11 | Latin | Portus | ” or, later, “Portus Rōmae”}} Portus large artificial harbour of Ancient Rome |
| 12 | Proto-Italic | portus | harbour |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | pértus | crossing |
| 14 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 15 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |