hack English · revision 13223

− It is Middle English hacken, from Old English -haccian in [[inh|ang|tōhaccian|t=to hack to pieces]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from West Germanic *hakkōn,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) source also of Old Frisian hakkia, Dutch hakken and German [[m|de|hacken]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Barnhart calls it of unknown origin;^(Barnhart 1988) Hoad sees an imitative base *hak-,^(Hoad 1986) and Etymonline gives PIE *keg-, hook, tooth, perhaps influenced by Old Norse hǫggva, to hew.^(Etymonline)