Where does “faen” come from?

faen (Norwegian Nynorsk) comes from Norwegian Nynorsk fanden, from Old Norse fendinn, from Old Frisian fandiand, from Proto-Germanic fandōną, from Proto-Indo-European pent- — to pass; path.

faen (Norwegian Nynorsk): the Devil, Satan; devil, bastard; damn, shit,...

Definitions

  1. the Devil, Satan; devil, bastard; damn, shit,...

Ancestry of “faen”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Norwegian Nynorskfandenused as an expletive to express displeasure
2Old Norsefendinn—
3Old Frisianfandiand—
4Proto-Germanicfandōnąto seek, search for, examine
5Proto-Indo-Europeanpent-to pass; path

Words derived from “faen”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European pent- →Every word from Proto-Germanic fandōną →Every word from Old Frisian fandiand →
faen — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer