Here's a breakdown:
* Old English: "scop" meant a "shed" or "hut".
* Proto-Germanic: The root "skop" meant "to cut" or "to shape".
How did it become "shop"?
Over time, the word evolved to refer to a place where goods were made or sold. This makes sense considering the original meaning of "cutting" or "shaping" - early shops were places where craftspeople would work with materials.
Interestingly:
* The word "shop" also influenced the word "workshop", where "work" was added to emphasize the creation of things.
* The use of "shop" to refer to a retail establishment came later, with the rise of commercial centers and specialized trades.
So, the next time you visit a shop, remember its ancient roots and the journey of this word from a humble shed to a place of commerce and creation.