Where does “men” come from?

men (Norwegian Nynorsk) comes from Swedish men, from Old Norse meðan, from Proto-Germanic medanō — meanwhile, as long as.

men (Norwegian Nynorsk): but, however; introducing a clause that contrasts...

Definitions

  1. but, however; introducing a clause that contrasts...

Ancestry of “men”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Swedishmenbut; introducing a clause that contrasts with the...
2Old Norsemeðanmeanwhile, as long as, while, whilst
3Proto-Germanicmedanōmeanwhile, as long as
Every word from Proto-Germanic medanō →Every word from Old Norse meðan →Every word from Swedish men →