Flyer
/ˈflaɪ.ər/noun
A person or thing that flies, or a printed sheet used for advertising or information.
Did you know?The modern advertising sense comes from the idea of a handbill being something that is literally “flung” or circulated, while the word’s older life is tied to the ancient Indo-European root for moving swiftly through the air.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pleu-
“to flow, run, swim, fly”
Old English
OE
flēogan
“to fly, move through the air”
Middle English
ME
flien / flieng
“to fly; a flying creature or person”
16th Century
English
flyer
“one who or that which flies”
19th Century
English
flyer
“a handbill or circular, especially one distributed quickly to many people”
Modern English
English
flyer
“a person or thing that flies; an advertising leaflet”