Where does “lisp” come from?
Lisp derives from Middle English lispen, from Old English wlispian and wlisp, from Proto-Germanic wlispaz, from Proto-Indo-European wlis-, which is related to Proto-Indo-European wel-.
lisp (English): The habit or an act of lisping; To pronounce the...
Definitions
- The habit or an act of lisping; To pronounce the...
Ancestry of “lisp”, step by step
lisp traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English lispen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | lispen | — |
| 2 | Old English | wlispian | — |
| 3 | Old English | wlisp | lisping; stammering |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | wlispaz | stammering; lisping |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | wlis- | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wēl- | to see, perceive |
via Middle English wlispen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | wlispen | To lisp; to speak with lisping |
via Middle English lipsen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | lipsen | — |