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Where does the word "lass" come from? It comes from Middle English lasce, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
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Where does the word "lass" come from? It comes from Middle English lasce, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
Lass’s story begins in Middle English: lasce meant “girl.” A northern word of uncertain origin, perhaps Scandinavian. It reached English by 1500s as lass. Still everyday speech in Scotland and northern England. Today, lass means a girl or young woman.
- Stage 1 · Middle English · 1300s lasce "girl", a northern word of uncertain origin, perhaps Scandinavian.
- Stage 2 · English · 1500s lass "girl", still everyday speech in Scotland and northern England.