scrap

Where does the word "scrap" come from? It comes from Old Norse skrap, passing through Middle English before entering English (1580s onward).

Scrap’s story begins in Old Norse: skrap meant “scraps, trifles.” Named the leftover trifles or scraps from a meal. By late 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as scrappe. Borrowed to describe food remains after eating. It reached English by 1580s onward as scrap. Widened from food to any small leftover piece, later metal remnants. Today, scrap means a small leftover piece, or discarded material such as metal.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval skrap "scraps, trifles", named the leftover trifles or scraps from a meal.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · late 1300s scrappe "piece of food remaining after a meal", borrowed to describe food remains after eating.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1580s onward scrap "a small detached piece or remnant", widened from food to any small leftover piece, later metal remnants.