caveat emptor

Where does the word "caveat emptor" come from? It comes from Latin caveat emptor, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Caveat emptor’s story begins in Latin: caveat emptor meant “let the buyer beware.” Let the buyer beware, from cavere (to beware) and emptor (buyer). It reached English by 1500s as caveat emptor. A principle of English common law, weakened by consumer protection laws in the 1900s. Today, caveat emptor means the principle that a buyer is responsible for checking the quality of goods before purchase.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient caveat emptor "let the buyer beware", let the buyer beware, from cavere (to beware) and emptor (buyer).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s caveat emptor "the principle that buyers assume the risk in a purchase", a principle of English common law, weakened by consumer protection laws in the 1900s.