whisk

Where does the word "whisk" come from? It comes from Old Norse visk, passing through Middle English before entering English (1660s).

Whisk’s story begins in Old Norse: visk meant “wisp.” A wisp or bundle of straw. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as wisk. A quick sweeping movement. It reached English by 1660s as whisk. A bundle of twigs or wire used for beating eggs. Today, whisk means a kitchen tool for beating eggs or cream; to move quickly.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval visk "wisp", a wisp or bundle of straw.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s wisk "swift movement", a quick sweeping movement.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1660s whisk "beating tool", a bundle of twigs or wire used for beating eggs.