Flemish
/ˈflɛmɪʃ/noun
Relating to Flanders, its people, or the Dutch dialects spoken there.
Did you know?Flemish is the English form of a regional name that traveled through Old French and Middle Dutch, showing how place-names can become identity words with real historical power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*flaumaz
“flow, current”
Old Dutch
OD
flāmisk
“of Flanders; Flemish”
Middle Dutch
MD
Vlaemsch
“Flemish, belonging to Flanders”
Middle French
OF
flameng
“Flemish person or language”
14th Century
English
Flemissh
“from Flanders; the Flemish language or people”
Modern English
English
Flemish
“relating to Flanders or its Dutch-speaking inhabitants”