Where does “jerkness” come from?

jerkness (English) comes from English Ness, from Middle English nesse, from Old English næs, from Proto-Germanic nasją, from Proto-Indo-European néh₂s — nose.

jerkness (English): The quality of being jerkish or obnoxious

Definitions

  1. The quality of being jerkish or obnoxious

Ancestry of “jerkness”, step by step

jerkness traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Ness

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishNessAn Ulster princess and the mother of Conchobar mac Nessa and Findchoem in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Daughter of Eochaid Sálbuide. Also the mother of Cormac Cond Longas by incest with Conchobar mac Nessa
2Middle Englishnesse
3Old Englishnæsnot, not at all; not; first/third-person singular...
4Proto-Germanicnasjąfoothill; headland; cape
5Proto-Indo-Europeannéh₂snose

via English jerk

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishjerkA sudden, often uncontrolled movement, especially...
2Middle Englishyerksudden motion
3Old Englishġearcactive, quick; ready, active, quick
Every word from Proto-Indo-European néh₂sEvery word from Proto-Germanic nasjąEvery word from Old English næs