Saturday, 12 November 2022

Is 'ferry' English, or is it actually Scandinavian?

'Ferry' is a word borrowed from Scandinavian 'ferja'. The word entered the English language some time before the 12th century.


ferry [verb] [before 12th century]
  • to carry by boat over a body of water
  • to cross by a ferry
  • to convey (as by aircraft or motor vehicle) from one place to another
  • transport
  • to fly (an airplane) from the factory or other shipping point to a designated delivery point or from one base to anothe...
See 'ferry' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Scandinavian.

Etymology: Middle English 'ferien' from Old English 'ferian' to carry, convey; akin to Old English 'faran' to go
See more loan words from before 1200.


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