Where does “sing-off” come from?
sing-off (English) comes from English off, from Middle English of, from Old English of, from Old English æf, from Proto-Germanic *ab, from Proto-Indo-European apó.
sing-off (English): A competition between two or more singers where each tries to do better than the last
Definitions
- A competition between two or more singers where each tries to do better than the last
Ancestry of “sing-off”, step by step
sing-off traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English off
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | off | In a direction away from the speaker or object;... |
| 2 | Middle English | of | of; off; until |
| 3 | Old English | of | of, from, off, out of |
| 4 | Old English | æf | of |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | *ab | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | apó | — |
via English sing
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | sing | To produce musical or harmonious sounds with... |
| 2 | Middle English | singen | To sing (something); to produce (certain) noises with one's voice |
| 3 | Old English | singan | to sing, chant |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | singwan | to sing |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | singwaną | to sing |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | sengʷʰ- | to recite; to sing |