Where does “fella” come from?
Fella is an informal English variant of fellow, which derives from Old Norse félag meaning "partner" or "associate," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European peḱ- meaning "to pluck" or "to divide."
fella (English): Pronunciation spelling of fellow; 1997, Donald...
Definitions
- Pronunciation spelling of fellow; 1997, Donald...
Ancestry of “fella”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | fellow | A colleague or partner; A companion; a comrade; A... |
| 2 | Middle English | felawe | A partner, friend, or colleague; one linked with... |
| 3 | Old English | fēolaga | companion, partner, colleague |
| 4 | Old Norse | félagi | one with whom one has joined one's property;... |
| 5 | Old Norse | félag | fellowship, partnership |
| 6 | Old Norse | fé | cattle; livestock; property, money |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | fehu | livestock, cattle; property; name of the F-rune |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | péḱu | livestock |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | peḱ- | to pluck; livestock; wealth |