Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps compare Dutch slof (noun) idle or negligent person (1599 as †sloef ), sloof haggard old woman (1600; compare Middle Low German slōf (1682)), slof (adjective) lax, idle, negligent (16th cent., also in 16th cent. as †sloef ), dirty, squalid (1674), and sloffen (verb) to shuffle along, dawdle, procrastinate (1609), all of uncertain origin, although these are attested later than the English word and would not explain its ending (perhaps compare -en suffix²). Perhaps compare also sloff v., sloffing n. at sloff v. Derivatives, although derivation from these words would not be straightforward either semantically or formally.For sense A. 5, an alternative etymology has also been suggested, deriving the English word < Irish sleamhnán vehicle without wheels, sledge (17th cent., also more fully carr sleamhnáin ), specific use of sleamhnán action of sliding, that which slides < sleamhnaigh to slide (Early Irish semnaigid to make smooth, polish) or its etymon Early Irish slemon smooth, polished, slippery < the same Indo-European base as post-classical Latin līmāre to polish (see limate v.) and probably also slime n.

Etymology: < sloven n.