Where does “goalpost” come from?
goalpost (English) comes from English post, from Middle French poste, from Italian posta, from Latin probāre, from Latin probō, from Latin Probus, from Proto-Indo-European pro-bhwo-, from Proto-Indo-European pro- — passed , crossed.
goalpost (English): One of the two vertical side poles of a goal; The...
Definitions
- One of the two vertical side poles of a goal; The...
Ancestry of “goalpost”, step by step
goalpost traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English post
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | post | A long dowel or plank protruding from the ground;... |
| 2 | Middle French | poste | — |
| 3 | Italian | posta | mail, post; post office; stakes |
| 4 | Latin | probāre | — |
| 5 | Latin | probō | to approve, permit, commend |
| 6 | Latin | Probus | good, serviceable, excellent, superior, able |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pro-bhwo- | being in front, prominent |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pro- | toward, forward |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | por- | to give birth; forward, through; going, passage |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |
via English goal
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | goal | A result that one is attempting to achieve; In... |
| 2 | Middle English | gol | boundary, limit |
| 3 | Old English | gāl | obstacle, barrier, marker; wanton; wicked; bad;... |
| 4 | Basque | gailu | device |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | gailō | a gap; crevice; chasm; ravine |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵʰēy- | to yawn, gape; to go |