Fella
/ˈfɛlə/noun
An informal word for a man or boy.
Did you know?Fella is a shortened form of fellow, and fellow itself goes back to Old English feolaga, meaning a business partner or companion, from a Germanic root tied to sharing and laying down money together.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
feolaga
“A partner, companion, or associate in a shared venture”
Old Norse
ON
félagi
“A partner or companion, especially one who shares property or a venture”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*fehu-lagaz
“One who lays down or shares cattle/wealth; a partner in joint property”
Middle English
ME
felawe / felaw
“A companion, mate, or associate”
18th-19th Century
English
fellow
“A man or person; also a member of a group or society”
19th-20th Century
English
fella
“Informal speech form of fellow, meaning a man or guy”