- that
- O.E. þæt, neuter sing. of the demonstrative pronoun and adj. (corresponding to masc. se, fem. seo), from P.Gmc. *that, from PIE *tod-, extended form of demonstrative pronomial base *to- (cf. Skt. ta-, Lith., O.C.S. to, Gk. to "the," L. talis "such"). Cf. the. Emerged c.1200 as a demonstrative adj. with the breakdown of the O.E. grammatical gender system, perhaps by infl. of Fr. and L., which had demonstrative adjectives (O.E. did not). Slang that way "in love" first recorded 1929. That-a-way is recorded from 1839. "Take that," said while delivering a blow, is recorded from c.1425.