Definition of the word fetch up

The phrase "fetch up" is an old English expression used to describe the act of bringing something or someone nearer or closer. Its origin can be traced back to the Old Norse language, which the Anglo-Saxons spoke following the Viking invasions of England in the late 9th century. The Old Norse phrase "faða upp" translates to "fetch up" in English, which was later adopted into the Anglo-Saxon dialect. In Old English, it was spelled "fæðe Åpp(e)," and by the 13th century, it had evolved into its modern form, "fetch up." In its historical context, "fetch up" would have been used in various everyday scenarios, such as fishing or transporting goods. For example, "fetch up the nets" would have been used by fishermen to signal to their companions to bring the fishing nets closer to the boat. Similarly, in transportation, "fetch up the horses" would have indicated to the coachman to bring the horses nearer to the doorstep. Today, the phrase is still in common use, particularly in informal settings, and is commonly associated with fetching objects or animals, like a dog or a ball, in sports like tennis or cricket. However, its Semitic root can still be felt in modern English vocabulary through words like "feel," which originated from the Old English "fælan," meaning "to bring near" or "to transmit."