Where does “malarkey” come from?
malarkey (English) comes from Greek μαλακός, from Ancient Greek μαλακός, from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.
malarkey (English): Nonsense; rubbish
Definitions
- Nonsense; rubbish
Ancestry of “malarkey”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greek | μαλακός | soft; meek, compliant; gentle, mild, mild... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | μαλακός | soft, tender; gentle; soft, mild, gentle |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | melh₂- | to grind, to crush |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | mel- | soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | mey- | to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange |