Etymology Map
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Chef

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a professional cook

Where does the word "chef" come from? It comes from Latin caput, passing through French before entering English (1840s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
caput
Latin · ancient
"head"
the root of 'chief'
2
Stage 2 of 3
chef
French · 1800s
"head"
'chef de cuisine', head of the kitchen
3
Stage 3 of 3
chef
English · 1840s
"head cook"
celebrity chefs date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

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.