Where does “washroom” come from?
Washroom derives from English wash and room, where room comes from Middle English rome, Old English rūme meaning "space" or "expanse," from Proto-Germanic rūmaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European wey- meaning "to turn" or "bend."
washroom (English): A room intended to wash the face and hands; A...
Definitions
- A room intended to wash the face and hands; A...
Ancestry of “washroom”, step by step
washroom traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English wash
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wash | To clean with water; To move or erode by the... |
| 2 | Middle English | washen | — |
| 3 | Old English | wasċan | to wash |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | waskan | to wash |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | waskaną | to wash |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | watskaną | to wash, get wet |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wed- | water |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | wey- | to wither; fade; to move, go ahead; to be strong;... |
via English room
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | room | Opportunity or scope; Space "for" something, or... |
| 2 | Middle English | roum | A space or area; A room |
| 3 | Old English | rūm | room, space; roomy, spacious, ample, extensive,... |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | rūm | roomy, spacious; room, open space |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | rūmaz | roomy, spacious, open |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | rewh₁- | free space |