Where does “småjente” come from?

småjente (Norwegian Nynorsk) comes from Norwegian Nynorsk små, from Old Norse smár, from Proto-Germanic smēhaz, from Proto-Indo-European smēk-, from Proto-Indo-European smē- — to rub; smear.

småjente (Norwegian Nynorsk): a little girl

Definitions

  1. a little girl

Ancestry of “småjente”, step by step

småjente traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Norwegian Nynorsk små

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Norwegian Nynorsksmåsmall; plural of liten
2Old Norsesmársmall
3Proto-Germanicsmēhazsmall; little
4Proto-Indo-Europeansmēk-beard; chin
5Proto-Indo-Europeansmē-to rub; smear

via Norwegian Nynorsk jente

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Norwegian Nynorskjentea girl
2Old Norsegentagirl, lass
3Old Norsegantjoke, foolery
Every word from Proto-Indo-European smē-Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēk-Every word from Proto-Germanic smēhaz
småjente — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer