Etymology Map
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Stilt

3 stages from Scandinavian to English.

Today it means either of a pair of poles for walking raised above the ground

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

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

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.