elevenish
noun

- any time close to eleven o'clock

adjective

- around eleven years of age

(Wordnik.com)

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The decimal system of counting is well established in the English names for numbers. Both the suffix -teen (as in fourteen) and the suffix -ty (as in forty) are related to the word ten. But what about the strange terms eleven and twelve?

Why not say oneteen, twoteen along the same pattern as thirteen, fourteen, fifteen? Eleven in Old English is endleofan, and related forms in the various Germanic languages point back to an original Germanic "ainlif," meaning eleven.

Ainlif is composed of "ain" (one)" and the suffix "lif" from the Germanic root "lib" which refers to remaining, leftover. Thus, eleven is literally "one left-over" (that is, past ten), and twelve is "two left-over."

The -ish suffix, which is related to the German "isch," is used in various ways to form an adjective:

- of or belonging to a nationality or group: Scottish

- having a resembling quality (often used for negative qualities) slavish, prudish, boyish

- somewhat or approximately: yellowish, elevenish

- concerned or preoccupied with: bookish

(adapted from the American Heritage Dictionary and the Collins English Dictionary)

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PRACTICE OWAD in a conversation today, say something like:

"How about meeting ELEVENISH to kick-off the meeting?"

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Thanks to Birgit for suggesting today's word!