Where does “sniff test” come from?
sniff test (English) comes from English Test, from German testen, from German Test, from English test, from Middle English teste, from Old French teste, from Latin testis, from Latin terstis — to stand.
sniff test (English): An inspection of an object by smelling it, as for cleanliness of clothing or freshness of food
Definitions
- An inspection of an object by smelling it, as for cleanliness of clothing or freshness of food
Ancestry of “sniff test”, step by step
sniff test traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Test
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Test | a Test match |
| 2 | German | testen | to test |
| 3 | German | Test | test; melting pot |
| 4 | English | test | A challenge, trial; A cupel or cupelling hearth... |
| 5 | Middle English | teste | — |
| 6 | Old French | teste | head |
| 7 | Latin | testis | witness; one who testifies or attests; testicle |
| 8 | Latin | terstis | — |
| 9 | Latin | trīstis | sad, unhappy, melancholy, morose |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | tristh₂s | a third party standing, after the two parties to... |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | steh₂- | to stand |