Where does “getaway” come from?
Getaway derives from the English phrasal verb get away, formed from the verb get, which comes from Old English geat, descending through Proto-Germanic getaną ultimately from Ancient Greek Γάγας.
getaway (English): A means of escape; The effecting of an escape; A...
Definitions
- A means of escape; The effecting of an escape; A...
Ancestry of “getaway”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | get away | To move away; To avoid capture; to escape; to... |
| 2 | English | get | To obtain; to acquire; To receive; To have. See... |
| 3 | English | git | A silly, incompetent, stupid, annoying, or... |
| 4 | Middle English | get | jet, hardened coal; A bead made of jet; A... |
| 5 | Old French | jayet | — |
| 6 | Latin | gagātēs | A hard, black asphalt; variety of lignite; jet, jess |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | γαγάτης | — |