Where does “numskull” come from?
numskull (English) comes from English numb, from English nim, from Middle English nimen, from Old English niman, from Proto-West Germanic neman, from Proto-Germanic nemaną, from Proto-Indo-European nem- — to distribute; to give, to take.
numskull (English): A dunce, mentally dull or stupid person; A person...
Definitions
- A dunce, mentally dull or stupid person; A person...
Ancestry of “numskull”, step by step
numskull traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English numb
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | numb | Physically unable to feel, not having the power... |
| 2 | English | nim | To take or seize; To filch, steal; To walk with... |
| 3 | Middle English | nimen | to take |
| 4 | Old English | niman | to take, seize |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | neman | to take |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | nemaną | to take |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | nem- | to distribute; to give, to take |
via English skull
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | skull | The main bones of the head considered as a unit;... |
| 2 | Middle English | sculle | a type of oar |
| 3 | Old Norse | skalli | a bald head; bald head, skull |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | skaljō | shell; husk; rind; peel |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)kelH- | to cut; to split, to separate |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)kel- | to bend, crook; bent, crooked; leg, heel, knee,... |