Fling
/flɪŋ/noun
To throw or hurl something forcefully, or to move or act suddenly and energetically.
Did you know?English fling is tied to an old Germanic root meaning to strike or move with a sudden swift motion, the same ancient family that gave us words for flicking, flying, and rapid movement.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*flengana / *flengjan
“to strike, beat, or move with a sudden motion”
Old English
OE
flingan
“to throw down, dash, or hurl”
Middle English
ME
flingen
“to throw or cast violently; later, to move with a sudden motion”
Early Modern English
English
fling
“to hurl or toss; also to rush or move abruptly”
Modern English
English
fling
“to throw forcefully or to move suddenly and energetically”