English
werk
Werk comes from Middle English werk ‘an action or deed’, from Proto-Germanic *werką ‘work’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- ‘to make’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*werǵ-‘to make’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*wérǵom‘work’reconstructed
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*werką‘work’reconstructed
- Proto-West Germanicc. 200–500 CE*werkreconstructed
- Old Englishc. 450–1150weorc‘act, deed’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500werk‘an action or deed’
- Englishtodaysame form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*werǵ-‘to make’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*wérǵom‘work’reconstructed
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*werką‘work’reconstructed
- Proto-West Germanicc. 200–500 CE*werkreconstructed
- Old Englishc. 450–1150weorc‘act, deed’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500werk‘an action or deed’
- Englishtodaysame form
The story
The LGBT slang usage is very recent and in essence an orthographical variant. It is independent from the far older and long-obsolete alternative form which derived directly from Middle English werk (noun) and werken, variant of worchen (verb).
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- ‘to make’
working, organic, wright, organ, boulevard, orgasm, wrought, liturgy, metallurgy, bulwark, irksome, irk, 21 more
through Proto-Indo-European *wérǵom ‘work’
energy, energetic, allergy, argon, erg, 14 more
through Old English weorc ‘act, deed’
through Middle English werk ‘an action or deed’
Today it means
verb —
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- / werk