Where does “holy shit” come from?
holy shit (English) comes from English shit, from Middle Dutch schite, from Old Dutch skīta, from Old Saxon skiti, from Proto-Germanic skītaz, from Proto-Indo-European sḱeyd-, from Proto-Indo-European sḱēy-, from Proto-Germanic skaidą — to cut, part, spearate, divide; to cut, part,...
holy shit (English): Expression of terror, awe, surprise,...
Definitions
- Expression of terror, awe, surprise,...
Ancestry of “holy shit”, step by step
holy shit traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English shit
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | shit | Solid excretory product evacuated from the... |
| 2 | Middle Dutch | schite | — |
| 3 | Old Dutch | skīta | — |
| 4 | Old Saxon | skiti | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | skītaz | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | sḱeyd- | to shade; to cut off; to part with, separate, cut... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | sḱēy- | to shine; to shimmer; shadow; luster, gloss,... |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | skaidą | separation, distinction |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | skÁit- | to cut, part, spearate, divide; to cut, part,... |
via English Holy
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Holy | Alternative letter-case form of holy "used when... |
| 2 | Middle English | holi | Alternative form of holy |
| 3 | Old English | hāliġ | holy |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | hailag | holy, sacred |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | hailagaz | holy, sacred |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | hailaz | whole, unbroken, intact; entire, complete; hale,... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | *kéh₂ilos | healthy |