circus

Where does the word "circus" come from? It comes from Greek kirkos, passing through Latin before entering English (1540s).

Circus’s story begins in Greek: kirkos meant “ring.” Greek for a ring or circle. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as circus. Rome's Circus Maximus held chariot races. It reached English by 1540s as circus. Travelling circuses date from the 1790s. Today, circus means a travelling show with acrobats and animals.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient kirkos "ring", Greek for a ring or circle.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient circus "racecourse", Rome's Circus Maximus held chariot races.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1540s circus "Roman racecourse", travelling circuses date from the 1790s.