Etymology Map
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Alert

3 stages from Italian to English.

Today it means quick to notice danger; a warning

Where does the word "alert" come from? It comes from Italian all'erta, passing through French before entering English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
all'erta
Italian · 1500s
"on the watch"
Italian 'erta', a lookout on high ground, from 'erigere', to raise
2
Stage 2 of 3
alerte
French · 1500s
"on guard"
a military cry to watch out
3
Stage 3 of 3
alert
English · 1590s
"watchful"
first recorded before 1595 in the writing of the soldier Roger Williams, a veteran of the wars in the Low Countries; 'red alert' dates from the 1940s
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Read the full story

Alert’s story begins in Italian: all'erta meant “on the watch.” Italian 'erta', a lookout on high ground, from 'erigere', to raise. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as alerte. A military cry to watch out. It reached English by 1590s as alert. First recorded before 1595 in the writing of the soldier Roger Williams, a veteran of the wars in the Low Countries; 'red alert' dates from the 1940s. Today, alert means quick to notice danger; a warning.