dell (n.1)
古英语 dell “dell,hollow,dale”(可能在中古英语中失传,然后从同源的中古荷兰语/中古低地德语 delle 借用),源自原始日耳曼语 *daljo(也是德语 Delle “dent,depression”、哥特语 ib-dalja “山坡”的来源); 与 dale(参见)相关。
dell (n.2)
流氓黑话16世纪至17世纪用于指“流浪阶层的少女”,1560年代,起源不明。
A Dell is a yonge wenche, able for generation, and not yet knowen or broken by the vpright man. ... [W]hen they have beene lyen with all by the vpright man then they be Doxes, and no Dells. [Thomas Harman, "A Caveat or Warning for Common Cursitors," 1567]
“Dell”是指一位年轻的女孩,适合生育,但尚未被正派男人征服或玷污。...当她们被正派男人征服或玷污后,她们就成为“Doxes”,而不再是“Dells”。[托马斯·哈曼,“流浪汉的警告”,1567年]
最早记录年份: 16c.