Where does “crotchety” come from?
crotchety (English) comes from English crotchet, from Middle English crochet, from Old French crochet, from Old French croc, from Frankish krōk, from Proto-Germanic krōkaz, from Proto-Indo-European gerg-, from Proto-Indo-European ger- — to turn, bend, twist, wind; to tie, bind...
crotchety (English): Cranky, disagreeable, or stubborn, especially if...
Definitions
- Cranky, disagreeable, or stubborn, especially if...
Ancestry of “crotchety”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | crotchet | A musical note one beat long in 4/4 time; A sharp... |
| 2 | Middle English | crochet | hook, crook |
| 3 | Old French | crochet | small hook |
| 4 | Old French | croc | hook; a hook-shaped weapon; grappling hook |
| 5 | Frankish | krōk | hook |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | krōkaz | something bent, a hook |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gerg- | to shout; tracery, basket, twist; wicker, bend |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | ger- | to turn, bend, twist, wind; to tie, bind... |