Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “screenwriting” come from?

Screenwriting derives from English screen and writing, with screen tracing back through Old French escran, Middle Dutch scherm, and Old Dutch skirm to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to turn or cut.

screenwriting (English): The art of writing screenplays

Definitions

  1. The art of writing screenplays

Ancestry of “screenwriting”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishscreenA physical divider intended to block an area from...
2Middle Englishscren—
3Anglo-Normanescrenfirescreen, the tester of a bed; Alternative form...
4Old FrenchescrenAlternative form of escran
5Middle Dutchschermprotective screen; protection, cover
6Old Dutchskirm—
7Proto-West Germanicskirmifur, hide, pelt; covering, shelter, screen
8Proto-Germanicskirmizfur, hide, pelt; covering, shelter, screen
9Proto-Indo-Europeansḱer-to caw, crow
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sḱer- →