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Where does the word "bold" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic balþaz, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).
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Where does the word "bold" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic balþaz, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).
Bold’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: balþaz meant “bold.” Found in names such as Baldwin, 'bold friend'. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as beald. Meant brave, confident, strong. It reached English by 1500s as bold. 'bold' type, with thick strokes, dates from the 1800s. Today, bold means brave and confident.
- Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient balþaz "bold", found in names such as Baldwin, 'bold friend'.
- Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s beald "brave", meant brave, confident, strong.
- Stage 3 · English · 1500s bold "brave", 'bold' type, with thick strokes, dates from the 1800s.