Where does “shifty” come from?
Shifty derives from Middle English -y, from Middle French -ie, from Latin -ia, from Latin -ivus, from Latin -ia, from Proto-Indo-European -kos.
shifty (English): Subject to frequent changes in direction; Moving...
Definitions
- Subject to frequent changes in direction; Moving...
Ancestry of “shifty”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Shift | A modifier key whose main function is shifting... |
| 2 | Middle English | schiften | To split, cut up, sunder; To share out,... |
| 3 | Old English | sċiftan | to divide, separate into shares; appoint, ordain;... |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | skiftijaną | To put in order; organise; arrange |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | skipatjaną | to organise, put in order |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | skēyb- | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | sḱēy- | to shine; to shimmer; shadow; luster, gloss,... |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | skaidą | separation, distinction |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | skÁit- | to cut, part, spearate, divide; to cut, part,... |