English
faineant
Faineant comes from Old French fay neant.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400fay neant
- Englishtodayfaineant
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400fay neant
- Englishtodayfaineant
The story
From Old French fay neant, alteration of feignant (‘idler’), present participle of feindre, modelled on fait (‘does’) + neant (‘nothing’).
Every English word from Old French fay neant
Today it means
noun An irresponsible or lazy person.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French fay neant / faineant