Where does “shan” come from?
Shan derives from Middle English shande, Old English sċand, and Middle English -en, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European (s)kem-.
shan (English): unfair, harsh; poor, low-quality
Definitions
- unfair, harsh; poor, low-quality
Ancestry of “shan”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | shand | Shame; scandal; disgrace; Base coin; Worthless |
| 2 | Middle English | shande | Alternative form of schonde |
| 3 | Old English | sċeand | — |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | skandō | shame, disgrace |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)ḱem- | mutilated, hornless; to cover, hide, conceal |