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Barbarian

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means an uncivilized person

Where does the word "barbarian" come from? It comes from Greek barbaros, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
barbaros
Greek · ancient
"foreign, babbling"
Greek, imitating unintelligible speech: 'bar-bar'
2
Stage 2 of 2
barbarian
English · 1300s
"foreigner"
came into English via Latin 'barbarus'
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Read the full story

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.