English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com

tilt

The origin and history of tilt.

Etymology

From Old English roots meaning "unsteady" or "to shake"; the jousting sense arose around 1510 from the barrier separating combatants, and the gaming-frustration sense is said to come from pinball, where "tilting" the machine could end your turn.

Origin: Old English · First attested 1510

Class of 1510

tilt first entered the language around 1510. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1510 →
← Back to the full definition of tilt
Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.