blame

Where does the word "blame" come from? It comes from Late Latin blasphemare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Blame’s story begins in Late Latin: blasphemare meant “to revile.” From Greek 'blasphēmein', to speak evil, the root of 'blasphemy'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as blasmer. Shortened form of the church word. It reached English by 1200s as blame. 'blasphemy' was later borrowed separately, so English has both. Today, blame means to hold responsible for a fault.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient blasphemare "to revile", from Greek 'blasphēmein', to speak evil, the root of 'blasphemy'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval blasmer "to reproach", shortened form of the church word.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s blame "to find fault", 'blasphemy' was later borrowed separately, so English has both.