sing

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

Sing’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: singwaną meant “to sing, chant.” Gothic 'siggwan' also meant to read aloud. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as singan. Bede tells how the cowherd Cædmon, the first named English poet, was told in a dream to 'sing me something'. It reached English by 1500s as sing. 'song' comes from the same root. Today, sing means to make musical sounds with the voice.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient singwaną "to sing, chant", Gothic 'siggwan' also meant to read aloud.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s singan "to sing", Bede tells how the cowherd Cædmon, the first named English poet, was told in a dream to 'sing me something'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s sing "to sing", 'song' comes from the same root.