absurd

Where does the word "absurd" come from? It comes from Latin absurdus, passing through French before entering English (1550s).

Absurd’s story begins in Latin: absurdus meant “out of tune.” 'ab-', off, plus 'surdus', deaf or muffled: a jarring sound. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as absurde. French 'absurde' is attested in the 1500s; Latin 'absurdus' first meant 'out of tune, discordant'. It reached English by 1550s as absurd. The 'Theatre of the Absurd' dates from the 1960s. Today, absurd means wildly unreasonable or illogical.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient absurdus "out of tune", 'ab-', off, plus 'surdus', deaf or muffled: a jarring sound.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s absurde "absurd", French 'absurde' is attested in the 1500s; Latin 'absurdus' first meant 'out of tune, discordant'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1550s absurd "unreasonable", the 'Theatre of the Absurd' dates from the 1960s.