Where does “nutshot” come from?

nutshot (English) comes from English shot, from Middle English schot, from Old English Scot, from Old Norse skot, from Proto-Germanic skutą, from Proto-Indo-European (s)kewd- — to advance, push; to drive, propel.

nutshot (English): To shoot in the groin, especially the testicles

Definitions

  1. To shoot in the groin, especially the testicles

Ancestry of “nutshot”, step by step

nutshot traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English shot

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishshotWorn out or broken; Woven from warp and weft...
2Middle EnglishschotA missile or projectile; a thrown or fired weapon
3Old EnglishScotshot, act of shooting
4Old Norseskot
5Proto-Germanicskutąshot
6Proto-Indo-European(s)kewd-to advance, push; to drive, propel

via English Nut

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishNutThe goddess who serves as the personification of the sky
2Middle Englishnotenote; Alternative form of not
3Old Englishnotuuse; enjoyment; profit, advantage, utility
4Proto-Germanicnutōuse, profit, yield
5Proto-Indo-Europeannewd-to seize; grasp; use; to grasp, seize, use; to...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)kewd-Every word from Proto-Germanic skutąEvery word from Old Norse skot