Etymology Map
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Tang

3 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means a strong sharp taste or smell

Where does the word "tang" come from? It comes from Old Norse tangi, passing through Middle English before entering English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
tangi
Old Norse · medieval
"point, spike"
a point or tongue of land; also the spike of a blade that fits into its handle
2
Stage 2 of 3
tange
Middle English · 1300s
"spike, sting"
the tongue of a blade or the sting of an insect
3
Stage 3 of 3
tang
English · 1590s
"sharp taste"
from a stinging point it came to mean a sharp taste
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Read the full story

Tang’s story begins in Old Norse: tangi meant “point, spike.” A point or tongue of land; also the spike of a blade that fits into its handle. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as tange. The tongue of a blade or the sting of an insect. It reached English by 1590s as tang. From a stinging point it came to mean a sharp taste. Today, tang means a strong sharp taste or smell.