Where does “nonjoke” come from?

nonjoke (English) comes from English non, from French non, from Old French non, from Latin nōn, from Old Latin noenum, from Proto-Indo-European óynos — one; single.

nonjoke (English): A story, utterance, etc. that is not a joke

Definitions

  1. A story, utterance, etc. that is not a joke

Ancestry of “nonjoke”, step by step

nonjoke traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English non

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishnonObsolete form of none
2Frenchnonno; not; a no, a negative response
3Old Frenchnonno; not; Alternative form of nom
4Latinnōnnot
5Old Latinnoenum—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanóynosone; single

via English joke

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishjokeAn amusing story; Something said or done for...
2Latiniocusa joke, jest; a form of amusement; pastime, sport
3Proto-Italicjokosword, saying
4Proto-Indo-Europeanyokosword, utterance
5Proto-Indo-Europeanyek-to utter
Every word from Proto-Indo-European óynos →