beret

Where does the word "beret" come from? It comes from Gascon/Occitan berret, passing through French before entering English (1830s).

Beret’s story begins in Gascon/Occitan: berret meant “a soft round cap.” A soft, round, brimless woolen cap worn in southwestern France. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as beret. Carried into standard French for the soft round cap. It reached English by 1830s as beret. Worn by Basque shepherds, then adopted as military headgear and a symbol of artists. Today, beret means a soft, round, brimless cap, traditionally associated with France.

1. Stage 1 · Gascon/Occitan · medieval berret "a soft round cap", a soft, round, brimless woolen cap worn in southwestern France.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1800s beret "a soft, round, brimless cap", carried into standard French for the soft round cap.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1830s beret "a soft, round, brimless cap", worn by Basque shepherds, then adopted as military headgear and a symbol of artists.