slant

Where does the word "slant" come from? It comes from Scandinavian slenta, passing through Middle English before entering English (1600s).

Slant’s story begins in Scandinavian: slenta meant “to slip.” To slip or slide; Norwegian 'slenta' and Swedish 'slinta' are relatives. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as slenten. To slip, slope. It reached English by 1600s as slant. A 'slant' on a story, a particular angle, dates from the 1900s. Today, slant means to slope or lean in a direction.

1. Stage 1 · Scandinavian · medieval slenta "to slip", to slip or slide; Norwegian 'slenta' and Swedish 'slinta' are relatives.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s slenten "to slide", to slip, slope.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s slant "slope", a 'slant' on a story, a particular angle, dates from the 1900s.