Friday, 3 January 2025

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

'Reindeer' is a word borrowed from Scandinavian 'hreindýri'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.


reindeer [noun] [14th century]
  • caribou
  • used especially for one of the Old World
See 'reindeer' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Scandinavian.

Etymology: Middle English 'reindere' from Old Norse 'hreinn' reindeer + Middle English 'deer' animal, deer
See more loan words from 1300s.


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