slag etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: slagg
• Old English: slac
• Proto-Germanic: *slakk-
• Proto-Indo-European: *sleh₃g- ("to slacken")

Meaning and Origin:

The word "slag" has various meanings:

• Metallurgy: A waste by-product of metal refining, consisting of impurities removed from the molten metal.
• Geology: A volcanic rock formed from molten rock that cooled rapidly on the Earth's surface.
• Figuratively: Something worthless or discarded.

The word "slag" originally comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *sleh₃g-, meaning "to slacken". This root is also related to the words "slack", "slothful", and "sloppy". In the context of metallurgy, slag was initially considered a "slack" or waste material that slowed down the refining process.

Over time, "slag" came to be used for any loose or waste material that hindered progress. This meaning evolved to include both metallurgical slag and geological slag formed by the rapid cooling of volcanic rock.

Modern Usage:

Today, the word "slag" is primarily used to refer to metallurgical waste products. It is also sometimes used figuratively to describe something worthless or discarded. For example, the term "slag heap" may be used to refer to a pile of useless or discarded items.

slag relate terms

• slay

  Etymology The word slay originates from the Old English word slean meaning to strik

• schlock

  Etymology The word schlock is thought to have originated from the Yiddish word shlak

• slag

  Etymology Middle English slagg Old English slac Proto Germanic slakk Proto Indo Eu

• slay

  Etymology The word slay originates from the Old English word slean meaning to strik

• slack

  Etymology The word slack has Old English and Middle Low German roots Old English s

• slag

  Etymology Middle English slagg Old English slac Proto Germanic slakk Proto Indo Eu

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