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Where does the word "chic" come from? It comes from German Schick, passing through French before entering English (1800s).
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Where does the word "chic" come from? It comes from German Schick, passing through French before entering English (1800s).
Chic’s story begins in German: Schick meant “skill, tact.” Meaning "skill" or "aptness". By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as chic. Adopted to describe stylish elegance. It reached English by 1800s as chic. Possibly from German 'Schick', skill; Coco Chanel's designs made 'chic' a byword for Parisian style. Today, chic means elegantly and stylishly fashionable.
- Stage 1 · German · medieval Schick "skill, tact", meaning "skill" or "aptness".
- Stage 2 · French · 1800s chic "stylish elegance", adopted to describe stylish elegance.
- Stage 3 · English · 1800s chic "stylish and fashionable", possibly from German 'Schick', skill; Coco Chanel's designs made 'chic' a byword for Parisian style.