When we delve into the etymology of the word dough, we uncover a fascinating history. Its origins can be traced back through various forms such as dow, dogh, and dagh in Middle English, eventually evolving into dag in Old English. This word stems from the Proto-Germanic root daigaz, which means “something kneaded”. Interestingly, daigaz can be linked back to the Proto-Indo-European verb dheigh, signifying concepts like “build”, “mold”, or “form”. The interconnectedness of words derived from deyg is truly remarkable. For instance, the term lady originally meant “bread-maker” in Old English, while the ending of paradise denoted “form a wall around”. Even words like fiction, originating from Latin, carry the notion of “building” a story, and effigy pertains to something that is molded. It’s intriguing to see how many words are interconnected with the simple concept of dough!
