English
fig leaf
Fig leaf comes from Middle English *figge leef.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500*figge leefreconstructed
- Englishearliest quotation 1965fig leaf
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500*figge leefreconstructed
- Englishearliest quotation 1965fig leaf
Earliest quotation: 1965, Attila Zohar, Kings Cross Black Magic: “This figleaf morality expresses a very unhealthy mental attitude.”
The story
From Middle English *figge leef (attested in the plural figge leves), a partial calque of Old English fīclēaf (‘fig leaf’).
Every English word from Middle English *figge leef
Today it means
noun A leaf of the fig plant.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English *figge leef / fig leaf