Etymology Map
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Barber

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person who cuts men's hair

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
barba
Latin · ancient
"beard"
the root of 'barbed'
2
Stage 2 of 3
barbeor
Old French · medieval
"beard-trimmer"
barbers also pulled teeth and let blood
3
Stage 3 of 3
barber
English · 1300s
"beard-trimmer"
the red-and-white pole recalls their surgical past
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Read the full story

Barber’s story begins in Latin: barba meant “beard.” The root of 'barbed'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as barbeor. Barbers also pulled teeth and let blood. It reached English by 1300s as barber. The red-and-white pole recalls their surgical past. Today, barber means a person who cuts men's hair.