Where does “doldrums” come from?
Doldrums derives from English dull, which comes from Middle English dollen, tracing back through Proto-Germanic dwalaz to Proto-Indo-European dʰwel-.
doldrums (English): "Usually preceded by" the: a state of apathy or...
Definitions
- "Usually preceded by" the: a state of apathy or...
Ancestry of “doldrums”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | doldrum | A slothful or stupid person; Boring,... |
| 2 | Middle English | dold | — |
| 3 | Middle English | dullen | to make dull |
| 4 | Middle English | dul | dull |
| 5 | Old English | dol | foolish |
| 6 | Proto-West Germanic | *dol | — |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | dulaz | confused, stunned; foolish, misled, mad |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | dwalaz | confused, stunned; foolish, misled, mad |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰwel- | — |