Where does “sootbag” come from?
sootbag (English) comes from English bag, from Middle English bagge, from Old Norse baggi, from Proto-Indo-European bʰak-.
sootbag (English): A bag of soot
Ancestry of “sootbag”, step by step
sootbag traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English bag
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | bag | A flexible container made of cloth, paper,... |
| 2 | Middle English | bagge | A fabric container; a bag, sack, pouch, purse, or... |
| 3 | Old Norse | baggi | bag, pack, satchel, bundle |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰak- | — |
via English soot
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | soot | Fine black or dull brown particles of amorphous... |
| 2 | Middle English | soot | Alternative form of swete; soot |
| 3 | Old English | swōt | sweet |