When did the term swell originate?

In the 1930s, swell became a popular slang term meaning great or excellent.

Where did the term swell originate?

Our English word “swell” is, of course, much older, first appearing in Old English, from Germanic roots, as the verb “swellan,” meaning “to grow or make larger.” (Fun fact: the past participle of “swellan” in Old English was “swollen,” which we still use as the past participle of “swell,” as in “swollen ankles.”) In …

What did swell mean in the 50s?

It does give one meaning of the verb as ‘to raise to arrogance,’ and we find similar definitions in dictionaries today, probably as in “He has a swelled head.” We hear it used as an adjective meaning ‘excellent’ in Hollywood films from the 1930s and 1940s, but it was obsolete when I was a boy in Canada in the 1950s.

What is the origin of the word this?

Old English þæt, “that, so that, after that,” neuter singular demonstrative pronoun (“A Man’s a Man for a’ that”), relative pronoun (“O thou that hearest prayer”), and demonstrative adjective (“Look at that caveman go!”), corresponding to masc. se, fem. seo.

What does being swell mean?

2a : to become filled with pride and arrogance. b : to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important manner. c : to play the swell.

What is the old Saxon word which means to swell?

Old English swellan “grow or make bigger” (past tense sweall, past participle swollen), from Proto-Germanic *swellanan (source also of Old Saxon swellan, Old Norse svella, Old Frisian swella, Middle Dutch swellen, Dutch zwellen, Old High German swellan, German schwellen), which is of unknown origin, perhaps a …

Do people still use swell?

This meaning gave rise to the adjective swell: it first referred to something stylish or fashionable. Use of the adjective swell peaked in the earlier part of the 20th century, though we still have ample evidence of its use.

What are swells in society?

(informal) One who is fashionably dressed or socially prominent. Society swells. Swell is defined as to grow larger beyond the normal size.

Does swell mean so well?

Swell, as American informal speech, is neither a portmanteau of “so well,” “all’s well,” nor is it derivative of “swollen.” It came into the language on its own from Irish immigrants, has been in use a couple of centuries, and has a range of nuance.

Whats swelling means?

Definition of swelling 1 : something that is swollen specifically : an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement. 2 : the condition of being swollen.

What is the meaning of swell?

swell. (swɛl) v. swelled, swol•len swelled, swell•ing, v.i. 1. to enlarge in bulk, as by growth, absorption of fluid, or engorgement. 2. (of a body part or area) to enlarge abnormally without growth of tissue. 3. to rise in waves, as the sea. 4. to well up, as a spring or as tears. 5. to bulge out, as a sail.

What is the definition of swelling up in kids?

Kids Definition of swell. (Entry 1 of 3) 1 : to enlarge in an abnormal way usually by pressure from within or by growth Her sprained ankle is swelling up. 2 : to grow or make bigger (as in size or value) The town’s population swelled.

What is the origin of the word ‘terrible’?

The meaning has changed completely over time. Originally, it meant frightening and comes from Latin terrificus (“causing terror or fear”), which itself derives from terrere (“to fill with fear”). Our word terrible still reflects this origin.

What is the difference between swell and fetch?

All rights reserved. Ocean waves that have traveled out of their fetch. Swell characteristically exhibits a more regular and longer period and has flatter crests than waves within their fetch. Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.