Where does “prattling” come from?
Prattling derives from English prate, which combines English prat with Middle English -el and Old English -ol suffixes tracing to Proto-Indo-European -elo- and -lós.
prattling (English): present participle of prattle; Prattle; foolish...
Definitions
- present participle of prattle; Prattle; foolish...
Ancestry of “prattling”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | prattle | To speak incessantly and in a childish manner; to... |
| 2 | English | prate | Talk to little purpose; trifling talk;... |
| 3 | Middle English | praten | to chatter inconsequentially |
| 4 | Old English | prætt | trick, prank, practical joke |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | prattuz | boastful talk; deceit, trickery, stratagem, list,... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | brodnó- | to wander about |