Where does “cross channel” come from?

cross channel (English) comes from English Channel, from English chainwale, from English wale, from Middle English wāle, from Old English wealh, from Old English īeġ, from Proto-West Germanic auwju, from Proto-Germanic awjō — water.

cross channel (English): Alternative spelling of cross-channel; A minor...

Definitions

  1. Alternative spelling of cross-channel; A minor...

Ancestry of “cross channel”, step by step

cross channel traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Channel

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishChannelThe hollow bed of running waters; also the bed of the sea or other body of water
2EnglishchainwaleObsolete spelling of channel
3EnglishwaleA ridge or low barrier; A raised rib in knit...
4Middle EnglishwāleAn outsider; a guest; one from an unfamiliar land
5Old Englishwealhforeigner; Briton or Welshman; slave
6Old Englishīeġisland
7Proto-West Germanicauwjufloodplain; meadow; island
8Proto-Germanicawjōfloodplain; meadow; island
9Proto-Germanicagwjō
10Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂ékʷeh₂water

via English cross

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcrossA geometrical figure consisting of two straight...
2Frenchcroixcross; a representation of a cross; the cross as...
3GermanKreuzcross; clubs; sharp
4SpanishCruzcross
5Portuguesecruzcross
6Italiancrocecross
7Latincruxwooden frame on which criminals were crucified,...
8Proto-Italic*kruks
9Proto-Indo-Europeansḱer-to caw, crow
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂ékʷeh₂Every word from Proto-Germanic agwjōEvery word from Proto-Germanic awjō