Where does “fífl” come from?

fífl (Icelandic) comes from Old Norse fífl, from Proto-Germanic fimbulaz, from Proto-Indo-European bamb- — to inflate, swell; round object.

fífl (Icelandic): fool, idiot, buffoon

Definitions

  1. fool, idiot, buffoon

Ancestry of “fífl”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Norsefíflmonster; giant
2Proto-Germanicfimbulazgiant; monster
3Proto-Indo-Europeanbamb-to inflate, swell; round object

Words derived from “fífl”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European bamb- →Every word from Proto-Germanic fimbulaz →Every word from Old Norse fífl →
fífl — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer