Etymology Map
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Attache

3 stages from French to English.

Today it means a person on the staff of an ambassador

Where does the word "attache" come from? It comes from French attacher, passing through French before entering English (1830s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
attacher
French · medieval
"to attach"
to fasten, attach
2
Stage 2 of 3
attaché
French · 1800s
"attached (person)"
'attached': a junior diplomat attached to an embassy
3
Stage 3 of 3
attaché
English · 1830s
"embassy staff member"
the 'attaché case', a slim document case, dates from 1904
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Read the full story

Attache’s story begins in French: attacher meant “to attach.” To fasten, attach. Within French, it grew into attaché by 1800s. 'attached': a junior diplomat attached to an embassy. It reached English by 1830s as attaché. The 'attaché case', a slim document case, dates from 1904. Today, attache means a person on the staff of an ambassador.