Where does “shitless” come from?
shitless (English) comes from English shit, from Middle Dutch schite, from Old Dutch skīta, from Old Saxon skiti, from Proto-Germanic skītaz, from Proto-Indo-European sḱeyd-, from Proto-Indo-European sḱēy-, from Proto-Germanic skaidą — to cut, part, spearate, divide; to cut, part,...
shitless (English): Having an empty bowel; greatly frightened
Definitions
- Having an empty bowel; greatly frightened
Ancestry of “shitless”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | shit | Solid excretory product evacuated from the... |
| 2 | Middle Dutch | schite | — |
| 3 | Old Dutch | skīta | — |
| 4 | Old Saxon | skiti | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | skītaz | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | sḱeyd- | to shade; to cut off; to part with, separate, cut... |
| 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,... |