Where does “overthink” come from?
overthink (English) comes from English think, from Middle English thinken, from Old English þyncan, from Proto-Germanic þunkijaną — to seem, to appear.
overthink (English): To think about; think over; To think or analyze...
Definitions
- To think about; think over; To think or analyze...
Ancestry of “overthink”, step by step
overthink traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English think
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | think | To ponder, to go over in one's head; To... |
| 2 | Middle English | thinken | To think, ponder; to deduce, figure out; to... |
| 3 | Old English | þyncan | to seem |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | þunkijaną | to seem, to appear |
via Middle English overthenken
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | overthenken | — |
| 2 | Old English | oferþenċan | to think over; consider |