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Origin of ‘for shame’

English Language & Usage Asked on June 30, 2021

Collins:

you should feel ashamed

Why does ‘for shame’ mean that? ‘Shame’ there is easily understandable, but I can’t understand why ‘for’ is used there for that function. Did it originate in a longer phrase?

One Answer

Probably from forshame:

From Middle English forshamen, from Old English forscamian (“to make ashamed, be ashamed, be modest”); equivalent to for- +‎ shame.

(Wiktionary)

the expression "for shame" dates back to the 14th century as suggested by Dictionary.com

Correct answer by user 66974 on June 30, 2021

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