fling

Where does the word "fling" come from? It comes from Old Norse flengja, passing through Middle English before entering English (1800s).

Fling’s story begins in Old Norse: flengja meant “to whip, to flog.” A violent verb used of flogging or whipping. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as flingen. First meant to rush or dash violently, then to throw something forcefully. It reached English by 1800s as fling. The noun 'a brief, carefree indulgence' came from the idea of throwing oneself into something. Today, fling means to throw forcefully; a short, carefree romance or indulgence.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval flengja "to whip, to flog", a violent verb used of flogging or whipping.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s flingen "to rush; to throw", first meant to rush or dash violently, then to throw something forcefully.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s fling "a short, carefree period or affair", the noun 'a brief, carefree indulgence' came from the idea of throwing oneself into something.