The term "elf" comes from Old English, a language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th to 11th centuries. In Old English, "elf" was used to refer to supernatural beings or spirits that were believed to inhabit the forests, rivers, and other natural places. These beings were thought to be small in size and mischievous in nature, and they were often associated with magic and supernatural powers. Over time, the term "elf" became associated with the idea of a small, magical creature, similar to the modern concept of an elf in popular culture.