Where does “crankbait” come from?

crankbait (English) comes from English bait, from Middle English bayte, from Old Norse beita, from Proto-Germanic baitō, from Proto-Indo-European bʰeyd-, from Proto-Indo-European bʰey- — bee.

crankbait (English): A kind of fishing lure

Definitions

  1. A kind of fishing lure

Ancestry of “crankbait”, step by step

crankbait traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English bait

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbaitAny substance, especially food, used in catching...
2Middle EnglishbayteBait or lure; objects used as a bait or lure;...
3Old Norsebeitato graze; to allow, let, make bite; to steer or...
4Proto-GermanicbaitōThat which is or can be bitten; food; bait
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeyd-to split
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰey-bee

via English crank

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcrankStrange, weird, odd; Sick; unwell; Liable to...
2Middle Low Germankrank
3Old Saxonkrank
4Proto-West Germanickrankweak, sick
5Proto-Germanickrankazbent; crooked; weak
6Proto-Indo-Europeanger-to turn, bend, twist, wind; to tie, bind...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰey-Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰeyd-Every word from Proto-Germanic baitō