Where does “rib-tickling” come from?
rib-tickling (English) comes from English RIB, from Middle English rib, from Old English ribb, from Proto-West Germanic ribb, from Proto-Germanic ribją, from Proto-Indo-European h₁rebʰ- — to cover, to roof; rib.
rib-tickling (English): Funny
Ancestry of “rib-tickling”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | RIB | Rigid inflatable boat — A lightweight inflatable... |
| 2 | Middle English | rib | — |
| 3 | Old English | ribb | rib |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | ribb | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | ribją | rib; reef, ridge |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁rebʰ- | to cover, to roof; rib |