English word queer comes from Proto-Indo-European *terkʷ-, and later Proto-Germanic *þwerhaz (Cross, adverse.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *terkʷ- | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | to turn |
| *þwerhaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Cross, adverse. |
| thwerh | Old Saxon (osx) | Bent, crooked. Contrary, against. |
| queer | Middle Low German (gml) | |
| queer | English (en) | (UK, dialect, dated) To puzzle.. (slang, dated) To ridicule; to banter; to rally.. (slang, dated) To spoil the effect or success of, as by ridicule; to throw a wet blanket on; to spoil.. (social science) To reevaluate or reinterpret (a work) with an eye to sexual orientation and/or to gender, as by applying queer theory.. (transitive) To render an endeavor or agreement ineffective or null. [...] |