hair

Where does the word "hair" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic hērą, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Hair’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: hērą meant “hair.” German 'Haar' is a cousin. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as hǣr. Used for a single hair and for the whole head of hair. It reached English by 1500s as hair. 'hair's breadth' as a tiny distance dates from the 1500s. Today, hair means the thread-like strands growing from the skin.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient hērą "hair", German 'Haar' is a cousin.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s hǣr "hair", used for a single hair and for the whole head of hair.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s hair "hair", 'hair's breadth' as a tiny distance dates from the 1500s.