Where does “showreel” come from?

showreel (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.

showreel (English): A video portfolio demonstrating the talents of an...

Definitions

  1. A video portfolio demonstrating the talents of an...

Ancestry of “showreel”, step by step

showreel 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 reel

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishreelA shaky or unsteady gait; A lively dance...
2Middle Englishreel—
3Old Englishrēol—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)kewh₁- →Every word from Proto-Germanic skawwōną →Every word from Old English scēawian →
showreel — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer