Online Etymology Dictionary

deep: O.E. deop, from P.Gmc. *deupaz, from PIE *d(e)u- "deep, hollow" (cf. O.C.S. duno "bottom, foundation," O.Ir. domun "world," via sense development from "bottom" to "foundation" to "earth" to "world"). Figurative sense was in O.E.; extended 16c. to color, sound. Deep pocket "wealth" is from 1951. Deep-freeze was a registered trademark (U.S. Patent Office, 1941) of a type of refrigerator; used generically for "cold storage" since 1949. To go off the deep end "lose control of oneself" is slang first recorded 1921, probably in reference to the deep end of a swimming pool, where a person on the surface can no longer touch bottom. When 3-D films seemed destined to be the next wave and the biggest thing to hit cinema since "talkies," they were known as deepies (1953). The gods have spared us.
deepen: c.1600, from deep (adj.). The earlier verb had been simply deep, from O.E. diepan.
deep-seated: 1741, "having its seat far below the surface;" figurative use is from 1847.
deep six (v.): "discard," 1940s, originally from nautical slang, perhaps from earlier underworld sense of "the grave" (1929), perhaps a reference to the usual grave depth of six feet.
deeply: O.E. deoplice (see deep), used in both literal and figurative senses.
baritone: c.1600, from It. baritono, from Gk. barytonos "deep-toned, deep-sounding," from barys "heavy, deep," also, of sound, "strong, deep, bass" (see grave (adj.)) + tonos "tone" (see tenet). Technically, "ranging from lower A in bass clef to lower F in treble clef." Meaning "singer having a baritone voice" is from 1821. As a type of brass band instrument, it is attested from 1949.
bathukolpian: "big-breasted," 1825, from Gk. bathykolpos, lit. "deep-bosomed," from bathys "deep" + kolpos "breast."
pothole: also pot-hole, 1826, originally a geological feature in glaciers and gravel beds, from M.E. pot in sense of "a deep hole for a mine, or from peat-digging" (late 14c., sense now generally obsolete, but preserved in Scotland and northern England dialect); perhaps ultimately related to pot (1) on notion of "deep, cylindrical shape." Applied to holes in a road from 1909.
depth: late 14c., apparently formed in M.E. on model of length, breadth; from O.E. deop "deep" (see deep), replacing older deopnes "deepness." Corresponds to O.N. dypð, Goth. diupiþa.
jet (n.): "deep black lignite," 1351, from Anglo-Fr. geet, corresponding to O.Fr. jaiet (12c.), from L. gagates, from Gk. gagates lithos "stone of Gages," town and river in Lycia. As "a deep black color," attested from c.1450.
benthos: "life forms of the deep ocean and sea floor," 1891, coined by Haeckel from Gk. benthos "depth of the sea," related to bathos "depth," bathys "deep." Adjective benthic is attested from 1902.
profound: c.1300, "characterized by intellectual depth," from O.Fr. profund (late 12c.), from L. profundus "deep, bottomless, vast," also "obscure, profound," from pro- "forth" + fundus "bottom" (see fund (n.)). The literal and figurative senses both were in Latin, but English, already having deep, primarily employed this word in its figurative sense.
dingle: "deep dell or hollow, usually wooded," c.1240, of unknown origin; a dialectal word until it entered literary use 17c.
bomb (n.): 1580s, from Fr. bombe, from It. bomba, probably from L. bombus "a deep, hollow noise; a buzzing or booming sound," from Gk. bombos "deep and hollow sound," echoic. Originally of mortar shells, etc.; modern sense of "explosive device placed by hand or dropped from airplane" is 1909. Meaning "old car" is from 1953. Meaning "success" is from 1954 (late 1990s slang the bomb "the best" is probably a fresh formation); opposite sense of "a failure" is from 1963. The bomb "atomic bomb" is from 1945. Bomber as a type of military aircraft is from 1917. Bombed "drunk" is from 1959.
chimichanga: "deep-fried burrito," by 1964; the thing and the name for it seem to have originated somewhere along the western U.S.-Mexico border (Arizona, Sonora), but beyond that all is obscure.
keld: 1697 in northern dialect, but frequent in place names, from O.N. kelda "a well, fountain, spring," also "a deep, still, smooth part of a river."
crimson: 1416, "deep red color," from O.Sp. cremesin "of or belonging to the kermes" (the shield-louse insects from which a deep red dye was obtained), from M.L. cremesinus, from Arabic qirmiz "kermes," from Skt. krmi-ja a compound meaning "(red dye) produced by a worm," from krmih "worm" + -ja- "produced" (from PIE *gene-). For sense evolution, see cochineal. Cf. O.C.S. čruminu, Rus. čermnyj "red," from the same source. Cf. also vermilion. The insect (Kermes vermilio) lives on the Kermes oak. The insects were gathered commercially in Mediterranean countries and sold throughout Europe. Kermes dyes have been found in burial wrappings in Anglo-Scandinavian York. It fell out of use with the introduction of cochineal. The dyes were comparable in quality and color intensity, but ten to twelve times as much kermes was needed to produce the same effect as cochineal.
lake (2): "deep red coloring matter," 1616, from Fr. laque (see lac), from which it was obtained.
implosion: "a bursting inward," 1877, modeled on explosion (q.v.). Originally in ref. to effect of deep sea pressures. Fig. sense is from 1960. Verb implode is from 1881.
vandyke: "short, pointed beard," 1894, from the style shown on portraits by Flem. painter Anton Van Dyck (1599-1641); earlier "a type of collar with a deep cut edge" (1755) also from a style depicted in his paintings.
facilis descensus Averni: 1618, from L., lit. "the descent of Avernus (is) easy" [Virgil, "Aeneid," VI.126], in ref. to Avernus, a deep lake near Puteoli, a reputed entrance to the underworld; hence, "it is easy to slip into moral ruin."
skin (n.): c.1200, "animal hide" (usually dressed and tanned), from O.N. skinn "animal hide," from P.Gmc. *skintha- (cf. O.H.G. scinten, Ger. schinden "to flay, skin;" Ger. dial. schind "skin of a fruit," Flem. schinde "bark"), from PIE *sken- "cut off" (cf. Bret. scant "scale of a fish," Ir. scainim "I tear, I burst"), from base *sek- "cut." Replaced native hide; the modern technical distinction between the two words is based on the size of the animal. Meaning "epidermis of a living animal or person" is attested from 1340; extended to fruits, vegetables, etc. 1398.
"Ful of fleissche Y was to fele, Now ... Me is lefte But skyn & boon." [hymn, c.1430]
Jazz slang sense of "drum" is from 1927. As an adj., it formerly had a slang sense of "cheating" (1868); sense of "pornographic" is attested from 1968. The verb is attested from 1392, from the noun. Skin-tight is from 1885; skin deep is first attested 1613 in this:
"All the carnall beauty of my wife, Is but skin-deep." [Sir Thomas Overbury, "A Wife," 1613; the poem was a main motive for his murder]
bathos: "anticlimax, a descent from the sublime to the ridiculous," 1727, from Gk. bathos "depth," related to bathys "deep;" introduced by Pope.
coomb: "deep hollow or valley, especially on flank of a hill," mainly surviving in place names, from O.E. cumb, probably a British word, from Celt. base *kumbos (cf. Welsh cwm in same sense).
coulee: "deep ravine, seasonally flooded," 1807, a N.Amer. word, originally in areas explored by Fr. trappers, from Fr. coulée "flow," from couler "to flow."
coma: 1646, from Gk. koma (gen. komatos) "deep sleep." Comatose first recorded 1755.
plutonic: "pertaining to or involving intense heat deep in the earth's crust," 1796, from Pluto (q.v.) as god of the underworld; especially in ref. to early 19c. geological theory (championed by Hutton) that attributed most of the earth's features to action of internal heat, and which triumphed over its rival, neptunism, which attributed them to water.
shallow: c.1400, schalowe "not deep," probably from O.E. sceald (see shoal). Of breathing, attested from 1875; of thought or feeling, "superficial," first recorded c.1586. The noun, usually shallows, is first recorded 1571, from the adj.
suspire: mid-15c., from L. suspirare "to draw a deep breath, sigh," from sub "under" + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit).
rialto: 1879, "exchange, mart," from the Rialto of Venice, the name of the quarter where the exchange was situated, contracted from Rivoalto and named for the canal (L. rivus altus "deep stream") which it crosses.
bathyscaphe: "diving apparatus for reaching great depths," 1947, name coined by its inventor, Swiss "scientific extremist" Prof. Auguste Piccard (1884–1962), from Gk. bathys "deep" + skaphe "light boat, skiff, a basin, a bowl, anything dug or scooped out," from skaptein to dig, delve" (see spade (1)).
bombinate: "make a buzzing noise," 1816 (bombination), from L. bombinare, corrupted from bombitare "to hum, buzz," from bombus "a deep, hollow sound; hum, buzz," echoic.
Davy Jones: "the spirit of the sea," 1751, first mentioned in Smollett's "The Adventures of Peregrin Pickle" (chapter 15) as an ominous and terrifying fiend who "presides over all the evil spirits of the deep, and is often seen in various shapes, perching among the rigging on the eve of hurricanes, shipwrecks and other disasters." Davy Jones's Locker "bottom of the sea," is 1803, from nautical slang, of unknown origin; second element may be from biblical Jonah, regarded as unlucky by sailors.
soporific: 1690, from Fr. soporifique (1687), formed in Fr. from L. sopor (gen. soporis) "deep sleep," from a causative form of the PIE base *swep- "to sleep" (see somnolence).
hyacinth: 1553 in this form; earlier jacinth (1230), from Gk. hyakinthos, probably ult. from a non-I.E. Mediterranean language. Used in ancient Greece of a blue gem, perhaps sapphire, and of a purple or deep red flower, but exactly which one is unknown (gladiolus, iris, and larkspur have been suggested). Fabled to have sprouted from the blood of Hyakinthos, youth beloved by Apollo and accidentally slain by him. The flower is said to have the letters "AI" or "AIAI" on its petals. The modern use in ref. to a flowering plant genus is from 1578.
aphotic: "untouched by sunlight, lightless" (in ref. to deep-sea regions), 1903, Mod.L., from Gk. a- "not, without" + phos (gen. photos) "light," related to phainein "to show, to bring to light" (see phantasm). Aphotic zone is recorded from 1913.
shoal (1): "place of shallow water," c.1300, from O.E. schealde (adj.), from sceald "shallow," from P.Gmc. *skala- (cf. Swed. skäll "thin;" Low Ger. schol, Fris. skol "not deep"). The terminal -d was dropped 16c.
Rolf: masc. proper name, introduced in England by the Normans, from O.N. Hrolfr, related to O.H.G. Hrodulf, lit. "wolf of fame" (see Rudolph). Rolfing (1972) as a deep massage technique is named for U.S. physiotherapist Ida P. Rolf (1897-1979), and first attested 1958, as Rolf Technique.
hush: 1546, variant of M.E. huisht (c.1380), probably of imitative origin, with terminal -t lost probably by being mistaken for a pt. suffix. Hush-hush (adj.) is 1916 reduplication. Hush-money is attested from 1709. Hush-puppy "deep-fried ball of cornmeal batter" first attested 1918; as a type of lightweight soft shoe, it is a proprietary name, registered 1961.
gorge (n.): mid-14c., from O.Fr. gorge "throat, bosom," from L.L. gurges "gullet, throat, jaws," related to L. gurgulio "gullet." Transferred sense of "deep, narrow valley" was in O.Fr. The verbal meaning "eat greedily" (c.1300) is from O.Fr. gorger, from gorge.
unctuous: late 14c., "oily," from O.Fr. unctueus, from M.L. unctuosus "greasy," from L. unctus "act of anointing," from pp. stem of unguere "to anoint" (see unguent). Figurative sense of "blandly ingratiating" is first recorded 1742, perhaps in part with a literal sense, but in part a sarcastic usage from unction in the meaning "deep spiritual feeling" (1690s), such as comes from having been anointed in the rite of unction.
superficial: c.1420, "of or relating to a surface," from L. superficialis "of or pertaining to the surface," from superficies "surface," from super "above, over" (see super-) + facies "form, face" (see face (n.)). Meaning "not deep or thorough" (of perceptions, thoughts, etc.) first recorded c.1530.
jug: "deep vessel for carrying liquids," 1538, jugge, variant of jubbe, of unknown origin, perhaps from jug "a low woman, a maidservant" (mid-16c.), an alteration of a common personal name, Joan or Judith. Use as a musical instrument is attested from 1946. Jughead "klutz" is from 1926; jughandle "tight curved road used for turns" is from 1961. Jugs for "woman's breasts" first recorded 1920 in Australian slang, short for milk jugs.
base (adj.): late 14c., from O.Fr. bas (Mod.Fr. bas) "low, lowly, mean," from L.L. bassus "thick, stumpy, low" (used only as a cognomen in classical Latin, humilis being there the usual word for "low in stature or position"), possibly from Oscan, or Celtic, or related to Gk. basson, comparative of bathys "deep." Figurative sense of "low in the moral scale" is first attested 1530s in English, earlier "servile" (1520s). Base metals (c.1600) were worthless in contrast to noble or precious metals.
kettle: O.E. cetil (Mercian), from L. catillus "deep pan or dish for cooking," dim. of catinus "bowl, dish, pot." A general Gmc. borrowing (cf. O.S. ketel, O.Fris. zetel, M.Du. ketel, O.H.G. kezzil, Ger. Kessel). Spelling with a -k- (c.1300) probably is from infl. of O.N. cognate ketill. The smaller sense of "tea-kettle" is 20c. Kettledrum is from 1542.
cesspool: 1671, the first element perhaps an alteration of cistern (q.v.); or the whole may be an alteration of suspiral (c.1400), "drainpipe," from O.Fr. souspirail "a vent, air hole," from souspirer "breathe," from L. suspirare "breathe deep." Meaning extended to "tank at the end of the pipe," which led to folk etymology change in final syllable. Other possible etymologies: It. cesso "privy," from L. secessus "place of retirement" (in L.L. "privy, drain"); dial. suspool, from suss, soss "puddle;" or cess "a bog on the banks of a tidal river."
cheese: O.E. cyse, from W.Gmc. *kasjus, from L. caseus "cheese," from PIE base *kwat- "to ferment, become sour." Earliest refs. would be to compressed curds of milk used as food; pressed or molded cheeses with rinds are 14c. As a photographer's word to make subjects hold a smile, it is attested from 1930, but in a reminiscence of schoolboy days, which suggests an earlier use. To make cheeses was a schoolgirls' amusement (1835) of wheeling rapidly so one's petticoats blew out in a circle then dropping down so they came to rest inflated and resembling a wheel of cheese; hence, used figuratively for "a deep curtsey."
somnolence: late 14c., from O.Fr. sompnolence, from L. somnolentia "sleepiness," from somnolentus, from somnus "sleep," from PIE *swep-no, from base *swep- "sleep" (cf. Skt. svapnah, Avestan kvafna-, Gk. hypnos, Lith. sapnas, O.C.S. sunu, O.Ir. suan, Welsh hun "sleep," L. sopor "a deep sleep," O.E. swefn, O.N. svefn "a dream").
ravine: 1760, "deep gorge," from Fr. ravin "a gully" (1690, from O.Fr. raviner "to hollow out"), and from Fr. ravine "violent rush of water, gully," from O.Fr. ravine "violent rush, robbery, rapine," both ult. from L. rapina (see rapine); sense influenced by L. rapidus "rapid." M.E. ravine meant "booty, plunder, robbery" from c.1350-1500. Cf. ravening.
mandarin: "Chinese official," 1589, via Port. mandarim or Du. mandorijn from Malay mantri, from Hindi mantri "councilor, minister of state," from Skt. mantri, nom. of mantrin- "advisor," from mantra "counsel," from PIE base *men- "to think" (see mind). Form infl. in Port. by mandar "to command, order." Used generically for the several grades of Chinese officials; sense of "chief dialect of Chinese" (spoken by officials and educated people) is from 1604. The type of small, deep-colored orange so called from 1771, from resemblance of its color to that of robes worn by mandarins.