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Swindler

2 stages from German to English.

Today it means a person who cheats others out of money

Where does the word "swindler" come from? It comes from German Schwindler, adopted directly into English (1760s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
Schwindler
German · 1700s
"cheat"
a giddy, fanciful person, then a cheat, from 'schwindeln', to be dizzy
2
Stage 2 of 2
swindler
English · 1760s
"cheat"
borrowed in London; the verb 'swindle' was formed from it
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Read the full story

Swindler’s story begins in German: Schwindler meant “cheat.” A giddy, fanciful person, then a cheat, from 'schwindeln', to be dizzy. It reached English by 1760s as swindler. Borrowed in London; the verb 'swindle' was formed from it. Today, swindler means a person who cheats others out of money.