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Where does the word "chef" come from? It comes from Latin caput, passing through French before entering English (1840s).
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Where does the word "chef" come from? It comes from Latin caput, passing through French before entering English (1840s).
Chef’s story begins in Latin: caput meant “head.” The root of 'chief'. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as chef. 'chef de cuisine', head of the kitchen. It reached English by 1840s as chef. Celebrity chefs date from the 1900s. Today, chef means a professional cook.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient caput "head", the root of 'chief'.
- Stage 2 · French · 1800s chef "head", 'chef de cuisine', head of the kitchen.
- Stage 3 · English · 1840s chef "head cook", celebrity chefs date from the 1900s.