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Where does the word "ad hoc" come from? It comes from Latin ad hoc, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).
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Where does the word "ad hoc" come from? It comes from Latin ad hoc, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).
Ad hoc’s story begins in Latin: ad hoc meant “for this specific purpose.” Literally for this, for this specific purpose. It reached English by 1600s as ad hoc. Latin 'for this', used in law and diplomacy for a committee formed for a single purpose. Today, ad hoc means formed or done for a particular purpose only, as necessary.
- Stage 1 · Latin · medieval ad hoc "for this specific purpose", literally for this, for this specific purpose.
- Stage 2 · English · 1600s ad hoc "created or done for a particular purpose as necessary", Latin 'for this', used in law and diplomacy for a committee formed for a single purpose.