spill over | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

over-age (adj.)

that is over a certain age," "1886, from over- + age (n.). Related: Over-aged (n.) "those who are too old" (late 15c.).

get over (v.)

1680s, "overcome," from get (v.) + over (adv.). From 1712 as "recover from;" 1813 as "have done with."

stop-over (n.)

also stopover, 1881, from the verbal phrase, from stop (v.) + over (adv.).

once-over (n.)

"glance, rapid inspection," 1913, American English, from once + over.

going-over (n.)

1872 as "scolding;" 1919 as "inspection;" from verbal phrase; see going + over (adv.).

change-over (n.)

"alteration from one system to another," 1907, from the verbal phrase; see change (v.) + over (adv.).

half seas over (adj.)

slang for "drunk," 1736, sometimes said to be from notion of a ship heavy-laden and so low in the water that small waves (half seas) wash over the deck. This suits the sense, but the phrase is not recorded in this alleged literal sense. Half seas over "halfway across the sea" is recorded from 1550s, however, and it was given a figurative extension to "halfway through a matter" by 1690s. What drunkenness is halfway to is not clear.

head over heels (adv.)

1726, "a curious perversion" [Weekley] of Middle English heels over head (late 14c.) "somersault fashion," hence "recklessly." Head (n.) and heels long have been paired in alliterative phrases in English, and the whole image also was in classical Latin (per caput pedesque ire).

spillover (n.)

1940, from verbal phrase, from spill (v.) + over (adv.). From 1953 as an adjective.

spillway (n.)

1889, from spill + way (n.).

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