Wednesday, 4 March 2026

How the German language influenced English with the word 'quaff'

'Quaff' is a word borrowed from German 'quassen'. The word entered the English language some time around 1523.


quaff [verb] [1523]
  • to drink deeply
  • to drink (a beverage) deeply
See 'quaff' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from German.

note: A word of obscure origin perhaps imitative or perhaps from Low German quassen to overindulge (in food and drink).
Etymology: origin unknown
See more loan words from 1500s.


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