Where does “neither” come from?
Neither derives from Old English nauþer, which combines Old English ne (not) and hwæþer (which of two), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning not and which of two.
neither (English): Not one of two; not either; Not either one of...
Definitions
- Not one of two; not either; Not either one of...
Ancestry of “neither”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | nauther | Neither |
| 2 | Old English | nauþer | — |
| 3 | Old English | nā | no |
| 4 | Old English | ne | not; or, and not; "ne... ne..." is used to mean "... |
| 5 | Old English | ealles | completely, wholly, entirely; totally,... |
| 6 | Old English | -es | possessive marker, indicating that an object... |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | -as | used in formation of adverbs |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | -ēs | Primarily forms adjectival bahuvrīhi compounds |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | -ess | — |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | -os | Creates action nouns or result nouns from verbs;... |