TransWikia.com

What is the origin of the German word Hang?

German Language Asked on October 25, 2021

Maybe I lack the knowledge of good sources for German etymology, but I haven’t had much luck finding one for the word Hang, ‘inclination; propensity; bias; a disposition, or liability towards something/someone’.

Is it related to the Low German verb hangen, ‘(intransitive, figuratively, with an) to be fond of, to feel strongly about’?

One Answer

It's derived from the precursors of the verb hängen ('to hang'), apparently during Late Middle High German times (15th century). Thus, it's also related to the Low German verb hangen which has been around since Middle Lower German (13th--16th century).

Duden says:

spätmittelhochdeutsch hanc = Neigung, zu hängen

Late Middle High German hanc = tendency to hang

DWDS has a extensive etymological entry for hängen, which has its roots in Old High German hāhan and hangēn (intransitive) ('to hang', both 8th century), and further gives this information for Hang:

‘Neigung, Geneigtsein, hängende Stellung (des Turners), abschüssige Stelle’ (15. Jh.)

Inclination, proneness, hanging pose (of a gymnast), precipitous location (15th century)

stating the same time of origin.

Answered by amadeusamadeus on October 25, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP