Etymology Map
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Cachet

3 stages from Old French to English.

Today it means prestige; a distinctive mark of quality

Where does the word "cachet" come from? It comes from Old French cacher, passing through French before entering English (1630s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
cacher
Old French · medieval
"to press"
to press, later to hide
2
Stage 2 of 3
cachet
French · 1600s
"seal"
a seal; a royal 'lettre de cachet' could send someone to the Bastille without trial
3
Stage 3 of 3
cachet
English · 1630s
"prestige"
from a seal of approval it came to mean prestige, by the 1840s
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Read the full story

Cachet’s story begins in Old French: cacher meant “to press.” To press, later to hide. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as cachet. A seal; a royal 'lettre de cachet' could send someone to the Bastille without trial. It reached English by 1630s as cachet. From a seal of approval it came to mean prestige, by the 1840s. Today, cachet means prestige; a distinctive mark of quality.