slim

Where does the word "slim" come from? It comes from Dutch slim, passing through English before entering English (1700s onward).

Slim’s story begins in Dutch: slim meant “slanting, crooked; bad, wrong.” From Middle Dutch 'slim', meaning crooked, slanting, or morally bad. By 1650s, the word had taken hold in English as slim. Borrowed with negative senses of slyness or insignificance still attached. It reached English by 1700s onward as slim. The negative senses faded, leaving only the meaning of a slender build. Today, slim means thin or slender in build.

1. Stage 1 · Dutch · medieval slim "slanting, crooked; bad, wrong", from Middle Dutch 'slim', meaning crooked, slanting, or morally bad.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1650s slim "sly, crafty; slight, unimpressive", borrowed with negative senses of slyness or insignificance still attached.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1700s onward slim "thin, slender, graceful", the negative senses faded, leaving only the meaning of a slender build.