Where does “this” come from?
This derives from Middle English þis, from Proto-Germanic þat, from Proto-Indo-European tód, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European só, a demonstrative pronoun meaning "that" or "this."
this (English): The (thing) here used in indicating something or someone nearby
Definitions
- The (thing) here used in indicating something or someone nearby
Ancestry of “this”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | þis | this; Alternative form of þes |
| 2 | Old English | þis | nominative/accusative neuter singular of þēs |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | þat | nominative/accusative singular neuter of *sa |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | tód | demonstrative pronoun; that; it |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | to- | it; that; the, that |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | só | this; that |