Where does “aw” come from?
aw (Middle English) comes from Old Norse agi, from Proto-Germanic agaz, from Proto-Indo-European h₂égʰos, from Proto-Indo-European h₂egʰ- — to be upset, afraid.
aw (Middle English): Alternative form of awe
Ancestry of “aw”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Old Norse | agi | awe, terror; uproar, turbulence; discipline,... |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | agaz | fear; dread |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂égʰos | distress |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂egʰ- | to be upset, afraid |