- shelf (n.)
- late 14c., from Middle Low German schelf "shelf, set of shelves," or from Old English cognate scylfe "shelf, ledge, floor," and scylf "peak, pinnacle," from Proto-Germanic *skelf-, *skalf- "split," possibly from the notion of a split piece of wood (cf. Old Norse skjölf "bench"), from PIE root *(s)kel- "to cut, cleave" (see sculpture). Shelf life first recorded 1927. Phrase on the shelf "out of the way, inactive" is attested from 1570s.