Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “slouching” come from?

Slouching derives from English slouch, which comes from Old Norse slókr, a word of uncertain origin and meaning.

slouching (English): present participle of slouch; The posture of...

Definitions

  1. present participle of slouch; The posture of...

Ancestry of “slouching”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishslouchA hanging down of the head; a drooping posture; a...
2Middle Englishslugge—
3Old English*sliċ—
4Proto-Germanic*sliki—
5Proto-Germanic*slikiz—
6Proto-Indo-Europeansleyǵ-to glide, smooth, spread; to smear; to creep; to...

Words derived from “slouching”

  • slouchingly
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sleyǵ- →