concierge

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

Concierge’s story begins in Latin: servus meant “a slave, servant.” The word for a slave or servant. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Vulgar Latin as conservius. Com- 'together' plus servus, for a fellow servant. From there it passed into French as concierge by 1100s. Softened from lowly servitude to a trusted caretaker role, eventually a high royal office. It reached English by 1640s as concierge. Borrowed for the caretaker of a building who assists its occupants. Today, concierge means a hotel or apartment building employee who assists guests or residents.

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