chagrin

Where does the word "chagrin" come from? It comes from Persian saghri, passing through French before entering English (1600s-1700s).

Chagrin’s story begins in Persian: saghri meant “rough, untanned leather.” The same root as "shagreen", rough untanned leather. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as chagrin. The roughness of the leather was metaphorically extended to a feeling of irritation. It reached English by 1600s-1700s as chagrin. French 'chagrin' also meant shagreen, rough sharkskin leather; the two words may be linked by the idea of chafing. Today, chagrin means a feeling of distress or embarrassment caused by failure or disappointment.

1. Stage 1 · Persian · medieval saghri "rough, untanned leather", the same root as "shagreen", rough untanned leather.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1600s chagrin "distress, irritation", the roughness of the leather was metaphorically extended to a feeling of irritation.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s-1700s chagrin "a feeling of embarrassment or annoyance", French 'chagrin' also meant shagreen, rough sharkskin leather; the two words may be linked by the idea of chafing.