hurley

Where does the word "hurley" come from? It comes from Middle English hurlen, passing through English before entering English (1820s).

Hurley’s story begins in Middle English: hurlen meant “to throw hard.” To rush or throw violently. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in English as hurling. The English name for the ancient Irish game 'iománaíocht'. It reached English by 1820s as hurley. The stick, called a 'camán' in Irish. Today, hurley means the stick used in the Irish game of hurling.

1. Stage 1 · Middle English · 1200s hurlen "to throw hard", to rush or throw violently.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s hurling "hurling", the English name for the ancient Irish game 'iománaíocht'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1820s hurley "hurling stick", the stick, called a 'camán' in Irish.