Etymology Map
Back to all words

Slant

3 stages from Scandinavian to English.

Today it means to slope or lean in a direction

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

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

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.