Tracing “”…
Where does the word "boutique" come from? It comes from Greek apotheke, passing through Latin, Old Provençal and French before entering English (1700s).
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Where does the word "boutique" come from? It comes from Greek apotheke, passing through Latin, Old Provençal and French before entering English (1700s).
Boutique’s story begins in Greek: apotheke meant “a storehouse.” Literally "a storehouse". By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as apotheca. Adopted for a shop or storeroom. From there it passed into Old Provençal as botica by medieval. Carried the shop concept into southern France. French picked it up next, as boutique, around medieval. Settled as the French word for a small shop. It reached English by 1700s as boutique. The 1960s London fashion boutiques of Carnaby Street gave it its modern sense. Today, boutique means a small shop selling fashionable clothing or specialty goods.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient apotheke "a storehouse", literally "a storehouse".
- Stage 2 · Latin · ancient apotheca "a shop, storeroom", adopted for a shop or storeroom.
- Stage 3 · Old Provençal · medieval botica "a small shop", carried the shop concept into southern France.
- Stage 4 · French · medieval boutique "a small specialty shop", settled as the French word for a small shop.
- Stage 5 · English · 1700s boutique "a small shop selling fashionable goods", the 1960s London fashion boutiques of Carnaby Street gave it its modern sense.