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Where does the word "fettle" come from? It comes from Old English fetel, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).
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Where does the word "fettle" come from? It comes from Old English fetel, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).
Fettle’s story begins in Old English: fetel meant “belt.” A belt or girdle. By 1100s-1400s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as fettlen. To gird oneself, make ready; a northern, especially Lancashire, word. It reached English by 1500s as fettle. 'in fine fettle' spread from northern dialect in the 1800s. Today, fettle means condition, as in 'in fine fettle'.
- Stage 1 · Old English · 700s-1000s fetel "belt", a belt or girdle.
- Stage 2 · Middle English · 1100s-1400s fettlen "to make ready", to gird oneself, make ready; a northern, especially Lancashire, word.
- Stage 3 · English · 1500s fettle "condition", 'in fine fettle' spread from northern dialect in the 1800s.