Where does “reel off” come from?

reel off (English) comes from English reel, from Middle English reel, from Old English rēol.

reel off (English): To list effortlessly and quickly

Definitions

  1. To list effortlessly and quickly

Ancestry of “reel off”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishreelA shaky or unsteady gait; A lively dance...
2Middle Englishreel—
3Old Englishrēol—
Every word from Old English rēol →Every word from Middle English reel →Every word from English reel →
reel off — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer