From OE 'folgian,' from Proto-Germanic *fulgāną — meaning stable for thousands of years despite debated deeper origins.
To go or come after a person or thing proceeding ahead; to act in accordance with guidance or instructions.
From Old English 'folgian' meaning 'to follow, accompany, pursue, obey,' from Proto-Germanic *fulgāną (to follow), possibly from PIE *pelh₂- (full) via a sense of 'following to the full extent' or 'accompanying fully,' though the exact PIE connection is uncertain. Some scholars link it to PIE *pleh₁- (to fill), suggesting the original image was of filling in behind someone, completing the space they leave as they move forward. The word has been the primary English verb of accompaniment since the language's earliest records
In Old Norse, the word 'fylgja' (to follow) also meant a personal guardian spirit — a supernatural entity that followed and protected a person throughout their life. Your 'fylgja' was your fate-follower, and seeing it was an omen of your death. The modern social media 'follower' is a considerably less supernatural version of the concept.
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