1. Northern English and Dutch: from an agent derivative of Middle English sling, Dutch slinge ‘strap for hurling stones’ (of Low German origin), hence an occupational name for a soldier or hunter armed with a sling, or nickname for someone who was a particularly good shot with this weapon. The word was also used of the ropes and pulleys used for lifting blocks of stone during building work, and the surname would also have denoted a worker who operated these slings.

2. German: see Schlinger.

See the Key to the Dictionary or consult the General Introduction for further explanation.