Etymology tree Pre-Greekbor.? Ancient Greek χᾰ́λῐξ (khắlĭx)bor.? substratebor.? Latin calxbor. Proto-West Germanic *kalk Old English ċealc Middle English chalk English chalk Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English chalky From chalk + -y.