stilt

Where does the word "stilt" come from? It comes from Scandinavian stylta, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Stilt’s story begins in Scandinavian: stylta meant “stilt, prop.” Probably from a Norse or Low German source; Norwegian 'stylta' means a stilt. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as stilte. A crutch, or the handle of a plough. It reached English by 1500s as stilt. The long-legged wading bird called a stilt is named after it. Today, stilt means either of a pair of poles for walking raised above the ground.

1. Stage 1 · Scandinavian · medieval stylta "stilt, prop", probably from a Norse or Low German source; Norwegian 'stylta' means a stilt.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s stilte "crutch, handle", a crutch, or the handle of a plough.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s stilt "walking pole", the long-legged wading bird called a stilt is named after it.