Etymograph

English

freeter

Freeter comes from Japanese フリーター ‘freeter, someone who makes a living by doing…’.

  1. Japanesemodernフリーターfurītā‘freeter, someone who makes a living by doing part-time jobs’
  2. Englishearliest quotation 2001freeter

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history uncertain.

Lineage

  1. Japanesemodernフリーターfurītā‘freeter, someone who makes a living by doing part-time jobs’
  2. Englishearliest quotation 2001freeter

Earliest quotation: 2001, James Brooke, Young Japanese Breaking Old Salaryman's Bonds: “The average freeter lives at home, earns about $1,000…”

The story

Borrowed from Japanese フリーター (furītā), possibly from English free and German Arbeiter (‘labourer’).

Every English word from Japanese フリーター

Today it means

noun In Japan, a young person (typically between the ages of 15-34) who lacks full-time employment (excluding housewives and students), especially through lack of interest in a career.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Japanese フリーター / freeter

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