comedy

Where does the word "comedy" come from? It comes from Greek komoidia, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (medieval).

Comedy’s story begins in Greek: komoidia meant “a revel song.” From "komos" (revel) and "aeidein" (to sing). By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as comoedia. Adopted for light, humorous dramatic works. From there it passed into Old French as comedie by medieval. Carried the dramatic genre into French. It reached English by medieval as comedy. Settled as the English word for the humorous genre. Today, comedy means a humorous play, film, or performance intended to amuse.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient komoidia "a revel song", from "komos" (revel) and "aeidein" (to sing).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient comoedia "a humorous drama", adopted for light, humorous dramatic works.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval comedie "a humorous drama", carried the dramatic genre into French.
4. Stage 4 · English · medieval comedy "a humorous dramatic work", settled as the English word for the humorous genre.