'leftwards' originates from the Old English word 'lyft,' meaning 'weak' or 'foolish,' which evolved to mean 'left' as the opposite of 'right.'

'lyft' transformed into the Middle English word 'left,' and eventually became the modern English word 'leftwards' by adding the suffix '-wards' to indicate direction.

Initially, it meant 'weak' or 'foolish,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'towards the left.'