Nits
/nɪts/noun
Plural of nit: a louse egg, especially one attached to hair or clothing.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from an old Germanic root for a louse egg, and English has kept the same tiny, parasitic meaning for ages.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hnitaz
“Louse egg or nit”
Old English
OE
hnitu
“A nit, especially a louse egg”
Middle English
ME
nit
“A louse egg”
Modern English
English
nit
“A louse egg; also, a foolish person (slang)”
Modern English
English
nits
“Plural of nit”