Where does “boyfriend” come from?
Boyfriend comes from English boy and friend, where friend derives from Middle English freend, Middle Dutch boeye, Proto-Germanic frijōndz meaning "one who loves," and Proto-Indo-European preyH- meaning "to love or favor."
boyfriend (English): A male partner in an unmarried romantic...
Definitions
- A male partner in an unmarried romantic...
Ancestry of “boyfriend”, step by step
boyfriend traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English boy
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | boy | A young male; A male child: a son of any age; A... |
| 2 | Middle English | boye | servant, commoner, knave, boy |
| 3 | Old English | bōia | boy |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | bōjô | younger brother, young male relation |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | bō- | A stem meaning "father, brother, close male... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰā- | to say |
via English Friend
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Friend | A Quaker; a member of the Society of Friends;... |
| 2 | Middle English | frend | A friend or compatriot; a close associate; A... |
| 3 | Old English | frēond | friend, friendly; friend, relative, lover |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | frijōndz | friend, loved one |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | prēy- | to like, love; like, love |