Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate
Tracing “”…
Where does the word "wiseacre" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch wijsseggher, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "wiseacre" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch wijsseggher, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).
Wiseacre’s story begins in Middle Dutch: wijsseggher meant “soothsayer.” A soothsayer, literally 'wise-sayer'. It reached English by 1590s as wiseacre. Reshaped by folk etymology as if from 'acre', and used sarcastically. Today, wiseacre means a person who acts as though they know everything.
- Stage 1 · Middle Dutch · medieval wijsseggher "soothsayer", a soothsayer, literally 'wise-sayer'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1590s wiseacre "a know-it-all", reshaped by folk etymology as if from 'acre', and used sarcastically.