Etymology Map
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Boon

3 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means a thing that is helpful or beneficial

Where does the word "boon" come from? It comes from Old Norse bón, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
bón
Old Norse · medieval
"prayer, request"
a prayer or request
2
Stage 2 of 3
bone
Middle English · 1100s
"request, favour"
a petition, then the favour granted in answer to it
3
Stage 3 of 3
boon
English · 1500s
"blessing"
came to mean any blessing or benefit
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Read the full story

Boon’s story begins in Old Norse: bón meant “prayer, request.” A prayer or request. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as bone. A petition, then the favour granted in answer to it. It reached English by 1500s as boon. Came to mean any blessing or benefit. Today, boon means a thing that is helpful or beneficial.