Английский Этимологический словарь - light (adj.)

- "not heavy," from O.E. leoht, from P.Gmc. *lingkhtaz. The notion in make light of is of "unimportance." Alternate spelling lite, prefered by advertisers, is first recorded 1962. Light-fingered "thievish" is from 1547; light-headed is from 1537. Light-weight is 1773 in pugilism and horse-racing; figurative sense of "inconsequential" first attested 1809. To light out "leave hastily" is 1870, from a nautical meaning "move out, move heavy objects," of unknown origin.