affair

Where does the word "affair" come from? It comes from Latin ad facere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Affair’s story begins in Latin: ad facere meant “to do.” From the phrase 'à faire', to do. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as afaire. Literally 'something to do'. It reached English by 1300s as affair. First recorded around 1390 in the sermons of the Vernon manuscript; 'love affair' dates from the 1700s. Today, affair means an event or matter; a romantic relationship.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ad facere "to do", from the phrase 'à faire', to do.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval afaire "business", literally 'something to do'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s affair "business, matter", first recorded around 1390 in the sermons of the Vernon manuscript; 'love affair' dates from the 1700s.