bidet

Where does the word "bidet" come from? It comes from French bidet, passing through French before entering English (1760s).

Bidet’s story begins in French: bidet meant “pony.” A small horse or pony, from 'bider', to trot. Within French, it grew into bidet by 1700s. The washbasin was named for the way one sits astride it. It reached English by 1760s as bidet. Common in France and southern Europe, still rare in Britain. Today, bidet means a low basin for washing the lower body.

1. Stage 1 · French · 1500s bidet "pony", a small horse or pony, from 'bider', to trot.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s bidet "washbasin", the washbasin was named for the way one sits astride it.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1760s bidet "washbasin", common in France and southern Europe, still rare in Britain.