Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “wonkish” come from?

wonkish (English) comes from English wonk, from English wonky, from English wanky, from Middle English wankel, from Old English wancol, from Proto-West Germanic wankul, from Proto-West Germanic wankōn, from Proto-Germanic wankōną — to bring; to transport.

wonkish (English): Nerdy; bookish; having the qualities of a wonk

Definitions

  1. Nerdy; bookish; having the qualities of a wonk

Ancestry of “wonkish”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwonkAn overly studious person, particularly student;...
2EnglishwonkyLopsided, misaligned or off-centre; Feeble, shaky...
3EnglishwankyLike a wanker; foolish or objectionable;...
4Middle Englishwankelunstable, mutable, tottering, unconstant
5Old Englishwancolunstable, unsteady, uncertain, fickle,...
6Proto-West Germanicwankulswaying, wavering, tottering; shaky, unsteady,...
7Proto-West Germanicwankōnto sway, to waver
8Proto-Germanicwankōnąto sway, to waver
9Proto-Germanicweganąto move, to carry; to weigh
10Proto-Indo-Europeanweǵʰ-to bring; to transport

Words derived from “wonkish”

  • wonkishly
  • wonkishness
Every word from Proto-Indo-European weǵʰ- →