English
harridan
Harridan may come from French haridelle ‘old horse, nag’.
- Frenchc. 1600–presentharidelle‘old horse, nag’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1847harridan
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Frenchc. 1600–presentharidelle‘old horse, nag’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1847harridan
Earliest quotation: 1847, – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray: “Why is that tattling old harridan, Peggy O'Dowd, to…”
Every English word from French haridelle
Today it means
noun A vicious and scolding woman, especially an older one.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / French haridelle / harridan