Etymology Map
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Blame

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to hold responsible for a fault

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

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

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.