Origin and history of knotwork

Old English cnotta "intertwining of ropes, cords, etc.," from Proto-Germanic *knuttan- (source also of Low German knütte, Old Frisian knotta "knot," Dutch knot, Old High German knoto, German Knoten, perhaps also Old Norse knutr "knot, knob"). For pronunciation, see kn-.

Figurative sense of "difficult problem, a perplexity" was in Old English (compare Gordian knot). Symbolic of the bond of wedlock from early 13c. As an ornament of dress, first attested c. 1400. Meaning "thickened part or protuberance on tissue of a plant" is from late 14c. As "small group or cluster of persons" late 14c.

The nautical unit of measure of speed (1630s) is from the practice of attaching knotted string to the log line at equal distances (see log (n.2)). The ship's speed can be measured by the number of knots that play out while the sand glass is running.

The distance between the knots on the log-line should contain 1/120 of a mile, supposing the glass to run exactly half a minute. [Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa, "A Voyage to South America" 1760]

Hence the word knot came also to be used as the equivalent of a nautical mile (in pre-World War II use in U.S. and Britain, about 6,080 feet). A speed of 10 knots will cover ten nautical miles in an hour (equivalent to a land speed of about 11.5 mph).

Middle English werk, from Old English weorc, worc "a deed, something done, action (whether voluntary or required), proceeding, business;" also "that which is made or manufactured, products of labor," also "physical labor, toil; skilled trade, craft, or occupation; opportunity of expending labor in some useful or remunerative way;" also "military fortification." This is reconstructed to be from Proto-Germanic *werka- "work," from a suffixed form of PIE root *werg- "to do."

The meaning "physical effort, exertion" is attested by c. 1200, as are those of "scholarly labor" and "artistic labor" or their productions. The specific meaning "embroidery, stitchery, needlepoint" is from late 13c.

The sense of "labor as a measurable commodity" is from c. 1300.

Work of art attested by 1774 as "artistic creation," earlier (1728) "artifice, production of humans" (as opposed to by nature). Work ethic is by 1955. To be out of work "unemployed" is from 1590s. To make clean work of is from c. 1300; to make short work of is from 1640s.

Proverbial expression many hands make light work is from c. 1300. To have (one's) work cut out for one is from 1610s; to have it prepared and prescribed, hence, to have all one can handle. Work in progress is by 1880 in accounts of construction projects, etc.; also a specific term in accountancy and parliamentary procedure. General figurative sense is by 1930.

Work is less boring than amusing oneself. [Baudelaire, "Mon Coeur mis a nu," 1862]

Germanic cognates include Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch werk, Old Norse verk, Middle Dutch warc, Old High German werah, German Werk, Gothic gawaurki.