I was curious--and, I think we've had this on here before, but. This is from the "other" OED (the Online Etymology Dict.):

flinch (v.)
1570s, from obsolete flecche "to bend, flinch," probably from O.Fr. flenchir "to bend," probably from Frank. *hlankjan (cf. M.H.G. linken, Ger. lenken "to bend, turn, lead"), from PIE base *kleng- "to bend, turn" (see flank). Related: Flinched; flinching. As a noun, from 1817.


Arrow fletches? (Hi, doc comfort)

What I like in this is the PIE base *kleng- , which is the way we write the sound of iron hitting iron: "Kleng!"

Fletch is also through French from the Germanic, but it's a whole different PIE root, [i]pleu-/i], 'to flow'.

kleng -...the way we write the sound of iron hitting iron

Ours is:

clang (v.) 1570s, echoic (originally of trumpets and birds), akin to or from L. clangere "resound, ring," and Gk. klange "sharp sound," from PIE *klang-, nasalized form of root *kleg- "to cry, sound." The noun is attested from 1590s.

Thanks, Faldage. [i]pleu-/i], 'to flow'. French rain--cool!
Man, language is neat, isn't it?

that's why we're here!! :¬ )

[blowing kiss e] :^)