Where does “vanahärra” come from?
vanahärra (Estonian) comes from Estonian härra, from Swedish herre, from Old Swedish hærre, from Old Norse herri, from Old Saxon hērro, from Old High German hērro, from Proto-Germanic hairaz, from Proto-Indo-European (s)ḱeh₃- — darkness, shadow.
vanahärra (Estonian): used respectfully to address to an old gentleman and generally to an old man
Definitions
- used respectfully to address to an old gentleman and generally to an old man
Ancestry of “vanahärra”, step by step
vanahärra traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Estonian härra
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Estonian | härra | sir, mister; gentleman; a wealthy or upper-class... |
| 2 | Swedish | herre | a man, a gentleman; a lord, a master; The Lord |
| 3 | Old Swedish | hærre | — |
| 4 | Old Norse | herri | — |
| 5 | Old Saxon | hērro | — |
| 6 | Old High German | hērro | master; grey, grey-haired |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | hairaz | grey; aged; old; lofty; distinguished |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)ḱeh₃- | darkness, shadow |