Etymograph

English

titter

Titter may come from Middle English *titeren.

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500*titerenuncertain
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1971titter

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500*titerenuncertain
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1971titter

Earliest quotation: 1971, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac: “Thou coxy, cackling candle!" said Catweazle. "Why dost thou…”

first attested First attested in the 1610s (as stated in the etymology)

The story

First attested in the 1610s. Probably from Middle English *titeren, *titren (attested in Middle English titering (‘hesitation, vacillation’)), probably a frequentative of Middle English titten (‘to waver’), ultimately of imitative origin.

Every English word from Middle English *titeren

Today it means

verb To laugh or giggle in a somewhat subdued or restrained way, as from nervousness or poorly-suppressed amusement.

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

Etymograph / Middle English *titeren / titter

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