Where does “self-flattery” come from?
self-flattery (English) comes from English flattery, from Middle English flaterye, from Old French flaterie, from Old French flater, from Frankish flat, from Proto-Germanic flatą, from Proto-Indo-European plÁt-.
self-flattery (English): The holding of an unjustifiably high opinion of...
Definitions
- The holding of an unjustifiably high opinion of...
Ancestry of “self-flattery”, step by step
self-flattery traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English flattery
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | flattery | Excessive praise or approval, which is often... |
| 2 | Middle English | flaterye | — |
| 3 | Old French | flaterie | — |
| 4 | Old French | flater | to flatter; to seduce with words |
| 5 | Frankish | flat | palm, flat of the hand; flat |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | flatą | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | plÁt- | — |
via English Self
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Self | Himself, herself, itself, themself, themselves; that specific (person mentioned) |
| 2 | Middle English | salve | Alternative form of sauf |
| 3 | Old English | sealf | salve |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | salbu | salve, ointment |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | salbō | salve, ointment |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | solp-éh₂ | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | selp- | fat, oil |