tether

Where does the word "tether" come from? It comes from Old Norse tjóðr, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Tether’s story begins in Old Norse: tjóðr meant “tether.” A tether for grazing animals. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as tethir. Borrowed in the north of England. It reached English by 1500s as tether. 'at the end of one's tether' dates from the 1700s. Today, tether means a rope or chain tying an animal to a spot.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval tjóðr "tether", a tether for grazing animals.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s tethir "tether", borrowed in the north of England.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s tether "restraining rope", 'at the end of one's tether' dates from the 1700s.