Where does “showgirl” come from?

showgirl (English) comes from English show, from Middle English schewen, from Old English scēawian, from Proto-Germanic skawwōną, from Proto-Indo-European (s)kewh₁- — to perceive; to observe.

showgirl (English): A non-starring but physically beautiful female...

Definitions

  1. A non-starring but physically beautiful female...

Ancestry of “showgirl”, step by step

showgirl traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English show

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishshowTo display, to have somebody see; To bestow; to...
2Middle Englishschewento show
3Old Englishscēawianto look, look at, exhibit, display; to look at,...
4Proto-Germanicskawwōnąto look, see, watch
5Proto-Indo-European(s)kewh₁-to perceive; to observe

via English Girl

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishGirlA Chinese constellation located near Aquarius, one of the 28 lunar mansions and part of the Black Turtle
2Middle EnglishgirleAlternative form of gerle
3Old Englishgyreleyoung person

Words derived from “showgirl”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)kewh₁- →Every word from Proto-Germanic skawwōną →Every word from Old English scēawian →