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Where does the word "bistro" come from? It comes from French bistro, and was adopted directly into English (1920s).
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Where does the word "bistro" come from? It comes from French bistro, and was adopted directly into English (1920s).
Bistro’s story begins in French: bistro meant “small café.” Of uncertain origin; the story that it comes from Russian 'bystro', quickly, shouted by Cossacks in Paris in 1814, is a myth. It reached English by 1920s as bistro. Spread with French-style cafés abroad. Today, bistro means a small, inexpensive restaurant.
- Stage 1 · French · 1880s bistro "small café", of uncertain origin; the story that it comes from Russian 'bystro', quickly, shouted by Cossacks in Paris in 1814, is a myth.
- Stage 2 · English · 1920s bistro "small restaurant", spread with French-style cafés abroad.