Where does “yes” come from?
yes (Dutch) comes from English yes, from Middle English yes, from Old English ġīese — "yes"; literally, "so be it".
yes (Dutch): yay
Ancestry of “yes”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | yes | Used to show agreement or acceptance; Used to... |
| 2 | Middle English | yes | Alternative form of is; plural of ye; Alternative... |
| 3 | Old English | ġīese | "yes"; literally, "so be it" |