chauvinism

Where does the word "chauvinism" come from? It comes from French Nicolas Chauvin, and was adopted directly into English (1870s).

Chauvinism’s story begins in French: Nicolas Chauvin meant “a soldier's name.” A soldier famed, likely apocryphally, for his excessive devotion to Napoleon and France. It reached English by 1870s as chauvinism. Coined from the name for excessive, unreasoning patriotism or group loyalty. Today, chauvinism means excessive or prejudiced devotion to one's own group, cause, or gender.

1. Stage 1 · French · 1800s Nicolas Chauvin "a soldier's name", a soldier famed, likely apocryphally, for his excessive devotion to Napoleon and France.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1870s chauvinism "excessive or biased loyalty to one's own group", coined from the name for excessive, unreasoning patriotism or group loyalty.