Where does “willies” come from?
willies (English) comes from English willy, from English Will, from English william, from Middle English William, from Anglo-Norman Willame, from Old High German Willahelm, from Old High German helm, from Proto-West Germanic helm — to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab.
willies (English): plural of willy; API pl; A feeling of nervousness...
Definitions
- plural of willy; API pl; A feeling of nervousness...
Ancestry of “willies”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | willy | Willing; favourable; ready; eager; Self-willed;... |
| 2 | English | Will | A weak-side linebacker |
| 3 | English | william | radiotelephony clear-code word for the letter W |
| 4 | Middle English | William | — |
| 5 | Anglo-Norman | Willame | — |
| 6 | Old High German | Willahelm | William |
| 7 | Old High German | helm | helmet |
| 8 | Proto-West Germanic | helm | helmet |
| 9 | Proto-Germanic | helmaz | helmet |
| 10 | Proto-Germanic | halmaz | halm; stem; stalk; straw; hay |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱolh₂mos | stalk |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱelh₂- | to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab |