Speedster

/ˈspiːdstər/ noun

Definition

Someone or something that is very fast, especially a person who runs or drives at high speeds.

Etymology

From 'speed' (Old English 'sped,' meaning success or quickness) and the agentive suffix '-ster' (one who performs an action). The '-ster' suffix creates nouns for people who do things, like 'youngster' or 'trickster'.

Kelly Says

The suffix '-ster' is hilarious once you notice it—it originally meant 'female' in Old English (like a 'spinster' was a woman who spins), but by the 1600s it just meant 'someone who does this.' Now we use it for everyone, regardless of gender!

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