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Where does the word "barbarian" come from? It comes from Greek barbaros, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
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Where does the word "barbarian" come from? It comes from Greek barbaros, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).
Barbarian’s story begins in Greek: barbaros meant “foreign, babbling.” Greek, imitating unintelligible speech: 'bar-bar'. It reached English by 1300s as barbarian. Came into English via Latin 'barbarus'. Today, barbarian means an uncivilized person.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient barbaros "foreign, babbling", Greek, imitating unintelligible speech: 'bar-bar'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1300s barbarian "foreigner", came into English via Latin 'barbarus'.