Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “flathead” come from?

Flathead derives from English flat and head, with head tracing through Middle English heed and Old English hēafod to Frankish flatjan, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots.

flathead (English): Any fish in the Platycephalidae family;...

Definitions

  1. Any fish in the Platycephalidae family;...

Ancestry of “flathead”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishflatHaving no variations in height; Without...
2Scotsfletinner part of a house
3Middle Englishfletthe floor, ground; a dwelling, habitation, house,...
4Old Englishfletthe floor, ground; a dwelling, habitation, house,...
5Proto-Germanicflatjąa level surface; level ground; the floor of a...
6Proto-Germanicflatazflat
7Proto-Indo-EuropeanplÁt-—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European plÁt- →