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Concierge

4 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a hotel or apartment building employee who assists guests or residents

Where does the word "concierge" come from? It comes from Latin servus, passing through Vulgar Latin and French before entering English (1640s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
servus
Latin · ancient
"a slave, servant"
the word for a slave or servant
2
Stage 2 of 4
conservius
Vulgar Latin · medieval
"a fellow servant"
com- 'together' plus servus, for a fellow servant
3
Stage 3 of 4
concierge
French · 1100s
"a caretaker, doorkeeper"
softened from lowly servitude to a trusted caretaker role, eventually a high royal office
4
Stage 4 of 4
concierge
English · 1640s
"a caretaker or doorkeeper of a building"
borrowed for the caretaker of a building who assists its occupants
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