Английский Этимологический словарь - pan (n.)

- O.E. panne, earlier ponne (Mercian), from W.Gmc. *panna, probably an early borrowing from V.L. *patna, from L. patina "shallow, pan, dish," from Gk. patane "plate, dish." The verb meaning "criticize severely" is from 1911. Pancake is 13c.; as symbol of flatness c.1600. To pan out "turn out, succeed" (1839) is metaphoric from panning for gold; flash in the pan is from early firearms, where a pan held the priming.