hand

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

Hand’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: handuz meant “hand.” Of uncertain origin, perhaps 'the grasper'. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as hand. 'handbōc', handbook, was an Old English word for a manual of services. It reached English by 1500s as hand. 'hand' for a worker, as in 'farmhand', dates from the 1600s. Today, hand means the end part of the arm, with fingers and thumb.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient handuz "hand", of uncertain origin, perhaps 'the grasper'.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s hand "hand", 'handbōc', handbook, was an Old English word for a manual of services.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s hand "hand", 'hand' for a worker, as in 'farmhand', dates from the 1600s.