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Where does the word "flank" come from? It comes from Frankish hlanka, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).
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Where does the word "flank" come from? It comes from Frankish hlanka, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).
Flank’s story begins in Frankish: hlanka meant “side, hip.” A Frankish word related to 'lank'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as flanc. The side of the body or army. It reached English by 1100s as flank. 'to outflank' dates from the 1700s. Today, flank means the side of a body or army.
- Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient hlanka "side, hip", a Frankish word related to 'lank'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval flanc "side", the side of the body or army.
- Stage 3 · English · 1100s flank "side", 'to outflank' dates from the 1700s.