Where does “spookshow” come from?

spookshow (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.

spookshow (English): A show that involves spooks; An organisation or...

Definitions

  1. A show that involves spooks; An organisation or...

Ancestry of “spookshow”, step by step

spookshow 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 spook

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishspookA ghost or phantom; A hobgoblin; A scare or...
2Dutchspookphantom, ghost; horror, terror; an annoying and...
3Middle Dutchspoocapparition, ghost; spook, ghost
4Middle Dutchspoke—
5Proto-Germanicspōkspook, ghost, apparition; witchcraft, wizardry
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)kewh₁- →
spookshow — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer