hamstring (English)

Where does "hamstring" come from?

The word hamstring is a compound formed by combining 'ham,' referring to the region behind the knee, with 'string.' The term 'ham' descends from the Proto-Germanic *hammō, related to the Proto-Indo-European word for leg, while 'string' traces back to the Proto-Germanic *strangiz, roots of which imply something tightened or twisted. Together, they accurately describe the vital, rope-like tendons located at the back of the knee.

Full etymology tree

• hamstring (English), 'One of the great tendons situated in each side of the ham, or space back of the knee, and connected with the muscles of the back of the thigh.'
  • compound ham (English), 'Meat from the thigh and/or buttock of a hog cured for food.'
    • inherited hamme (Middle English), 'The back or inside of the knee; the inner knee.'
      • inherited hamm (Old English), 'ham, inner knee'
        • inherited *hammō (Proto-Germanic), 'shinbone'
          • inherited *hanmō (Proto-Germanic)
            • inherited *kónh₂méh₂- (Proto-Indo-European)
              • derived *kónh₂m (Proto-Indo-European)
  • compound string (English), 'A long, thin and flexible structure made from threads twisted together.'
    • inherited string (Middle English)
      • inherited strenġ (Old English), 'string, rope, cord'
        • inherited *strangi (Proto-West Germanic), 'string'
          • inherited *strangiz (Proto-Germanic), 'string'
            • inherited *strengʰ- (Proto-Indo-European), 'to twist'
              • influence *sterh₃- (Proto-Indo-European), 'to spread, extend, stretch out'
      • influence strengr (Old Norse), 'string'

Direct ancestors

• ham (English)
• string (English)

Updated July 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris