Where does “swill-flagon” come from?
swill-flagon (English) comes from English flagon, from Middle English flagon, from Middle French flacon, from Proto-Germanic flaskǭ, from Proto-Germanic flehtaną, from Proto-Indo-European pleḱ-, from Proto-Indo-European pel- — to cover, to wrap; skin, hide, cloth; to fold.
swill-flagon (English): A drunkard
Definitions
- A drunkard
Ancestry of “swill-flagon”, step by step
swill-flagon traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English flagon
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | flagon | A large bottle for drinks such as wine, cider or... |
| 2 | Middle English | flagon | — |
| 3 | Middle French | flacon | — |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | flaskǭ | a plaiting-covered vessel; bottle, flask |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | flehtaną | to plait, to weave |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | pleḱ- | to fold, plait, weave |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pel- | to cover, to wrap; skin, hide, cloth; to fold |
via English swill
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | swill | A mixture of solid and liquid food scraps fed to... |
| 2 | Middle English | swilen | to wash; swirl; wash away |
| 3 | Old English | swillan | to gargle |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | *swilljan | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | swiljaną | to gulp, swallow |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | swel- | to smolder; burn; scorch; beam, board, frame,... |