oaf

Where does the word "oaf" come from? It comes from Old Norse álfr, and was adopted directly into English (1620s).

Oaf’s story begins in Old Norse: álfr meant “elf.” An elf, one of the supernatural beings of Norse mythology. It reached English by 1620s as oaf. Used for a changeling, the misshapen or dim child fairies were believed to leave in place of a stolen baby; later, the changeling's supposed dullness gave the modern sense. Today, oaf means a stupid, uncultured, or clumsy person.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval álfr "elf", an elf, one of the supernatural beings of Norse mythology.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1620s oaf "an elf's child, changeling; later a stupid, clumsy person", used for a changeling, the misshapen or dim child fairies were believed to leave in place of a stolen baby; later, the changeling's supposed dullness gave the modern sense.