snug

Where does the word "snug" come from? It comes from Old Norse snöggr, passing through English before entering English (1620s onward).

Snug’s story begins in Old Norse: snöggr meant “short-haired, trim.” Originally described something trim or closely cropped. By 1590s, the word had taken hold in English as snug. First used of ships riding trim and sheltered from weather. It reached English by 1620s onward as snug. Sense widened from ships to general comfort and closeness of fit. Today, snug means cozy and comfortable, or fitting closely.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval snöggr "short-haired, trim", originally described something trim or closely cropped.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1590s snug "compact, trim, protected from the weather", first used of ships riding trim and sheltered from weather.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1620s onward snug "cozy, comfortable, closely fitting", sense widened from ships to general comfort and closeness of fit.