Where does “gig” come from?
Gig is of uncertain origin, possibly from Latin gignere meaning to beget or produce, via Latin genere, Latin genus, Proto-Italic genos, and Proto-Indo-European ǵenh₁-.
gig (English): A performing engagement by a musical group; or,...
Definitions
- A performing engagement by a musical group; or,...
Ancestry of “gig”, step by step
gig traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English gig
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | gig | a frivolous woman |
| 2 | English | fise | An instance of flatulence |
| 3 | English | fist | A hand with the fingers clenched or curled... |
| 4 | Middle English | fist | fist |
| 5 | Old English | fȳst | fist |
| 6 | Proto-West Germanic | fūsti | fist |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | funstiz | fist |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pnsti- | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | pnksti- | — |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | pénkʷe | five |