Where does “queerbaiting” come from?

queerbaiting (English) comes from English baiting, from English bait, from Middle English bayte, from Old Norse beita, from Proto-Germanic baitō, from Proto-Indo-European bʰeyd-, from Proto-Indo-European bʰey- — bee.

queerbaiting (English): The practice of creating homoerotic tension...

Definitions

  1. The practice of creating homoerotic tension...

Ancestry of “queerbaiting”, step by step

queerbaiting traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English baiting

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishbaitingpresent participle of bait; A bloodsport...
2EnglishbaitAny substance, especially food, used in catching...
3Middle EnglishbayteBait or lure; objects used as a bait or lure;...
4Old Norsebeitato graze; to allow, let, make bite; to steer or...
5Proto-GermanicbaitōThat which is or can be bitten; food; bait
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeyd-to split
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰey-bee

via English queer

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishqueerWeird, odd or different; whimsical; Slightly...
2Middle Low Germanqueeroblique, off-center
3Old Saxonthwerhcontrary, against; bent, crooked
4Proto-Germanic*þwerh
5Proto-Germanicþwerhazcross, adverse
6Proto-Germanicþerh-
7Proto-Indo-Europeanterkʷ-to turn, spin
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰey-