Where does the idiom “root for something” come from?

I am familiar with the idiom “to root for something” meaning that I am hoping for something to happen or taking the side of something.

But what does this have to do with roots? Does it mean that I am putting my root where somebody else stands?

Where did this idiom originate?

Solution 1:

You need to differentiate the noun from the verb, then investigate the verb for your answer.

The noun doesn't help much here.

root n.: the part of a plant, usually below the ground, that lacks nodes, shoots, and leaves, holds the plant in position, draws water and nourishment from the soil, and stores food Origin: Middle English rote from Late Old English from Old Norse rot, akin to Old English wyrt, German wurzel from Indo-European base an unverified form wrād-, twig, root from source Glassical Greek rhiza, Classical Latin radix, root, ramus, branch

root vi.: to give audible encouragement or applause to a contestant or team; cheer. See Synonyms at applaud; to lend support to someone or something.

Origin: possibly alteration of rout. A second source also mentioned rout as the possible origin. root:Possibly an alteration of rout (“to make a loud noise”), influenced by hoot

rout to bellow, used of cattle. (First Known Use: 14th century): 14th century (Middle English rowten, from Old Norse rauta; akin to Old English rēotan to weep, Latin rudere to roar)

Solution 2:

The OED expresses some skepticism of the etymology related to rout, adding to this the possibility that it derives from earlier senses of root meaning "to turn up ground" or "to dig."

The origin of sense 4 is uncertain. It has been suggested that it may be a transferred use of the sense ‘to dig’, ‘to turn up the ground’, perhaps ‘with the imagery of stamping so hard that one is visualized as digging a hole’ (see G. Cohen Stud. in Slang (1989) II. 67–8). A connection with rout v.4 has also been suggested, but is unlikely on phonological grounds (although compare rout v.9) and also perhaps also on semantic grounds, since some early examples emphasize stamping and clapping rather than cheering.

This sense 4 definition comes after similar definitions related to pigs that "root" in the ground, later extended to other animals. So it seems worth noting that the earliest attestation makes a direct comparison to pigs.

All during the game Jim never blinked, and he rooted more energetically and with twice the freedom of a Yorkshire porker.

• 1889 World (N.Y.) 7 June 11/4

Green's Dictionary of Slang also does not mention the "rout" etymology and also references Cohen's Slang as cited in the OED note referring to the "digging" theory.