flirt
/flɜːrt/
verb
Origin
Middle English
flirten — to flick, to sneer
Overview
Meaning Now
- To behave in a way that suggests a playful sexual or romantic attraction to someone.
- To move or jerk suddenly; to flick or dart.
- To consider or dally with a proposal or possibility without serious commitment.
Literal older meaning
To flick or toss away suddenly.
Language path
Middle English → English
Earliest form
flirt
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The word originated as an imitative (onomatopoeic) sound describing a quick, darting movement. Over centuries, the concept of 'tossing' things aside evolved into 'tossing' words or attitudes at people, eventually centering on the playful, non-committal social interactions now known as flirting.
Evolution
- 16th century
flirt
“a sudden flick, a jerk”
Used as an onomatopoeic word imitating a quick, sharp motion.
- 17th century
flirt
“to speak disparagingly or to behave saucily”
The sense of 'sassy' behavior led to the association with romantic playfulness.
- 18th century
flirt
“to play at courtship”
Established in its modern sense of engaging in lighthearted romantic behavior.
Connections
Word parts
flirt
root
quick motion
Related across languages
Low German
a quick movement
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Related to flirt
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.