Where does “minx” come from?

Minx derives from Middle Low German minsk, of uncertain ultimate origin and meaning.

minx (English): A pert, flirtatious or impudent young woman; A...

Definitions

  1. A pert, flirtatious or impudent young woman; A...

Ancestry of “minx”, step by step

minx traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.

via Dutch mens

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchmenshuman, any member of the species "Homo sapiens";...
2Middle Dutchmensche—
3Old Dutchmennisko—
4Proto-Germanicmanniskazhuman
5Proto-Germanic*mann-—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmen-to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

via English mink

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishminkAny of various semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals...
2SwedishminkAmerican mink
3Middle Low Germanmink—
4Old Saxonmink—

via Middle Low German minsche

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Low Germanminsche—
2Old Saxonmenniskohuman being
3Proto-West Germanicmanniskō—

Words derived from “minx”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European men- →Every word from Proto-Germanic *mann- →Every word from Proto-Germanic manniskaz →