- slate (n.)
- mid-14c., from Old French esclate, fem. of esclat "split piece, splinter" (Modern French éclat; see slat), so called because the rock splits easily into thin plates. As a color, first recorded 1882. Sense of "a writing tablet" (made of slate), first recorded late 14c., led to that of "list of candidates," first recorded 1842. Clean slate (1868) originally referred to scores chalked up in a tavern.
- slate (v.)
- "propose, schedule," 1883; sense of "nominate" is attested from 1804. The notion is of writing on a slate (n.) board. Related: Slated; slating.