corn

Where does the word "corn" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic kurną, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Corn’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: kurną meant “grain.” Cognate with Latin 'grānum', grain; 'kernel' is its diminutive. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as corn. Meant any grain, or a single grain: 'corned beef' is cured with 'corns' of salt. It reached English by 1500s as corn. American colonists shortened 'Indian corn' to 'corn', which is why it means maize in the US. Today, corn means grain; in North America, maize.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient kurną "grain", cognate with Latin 'grānum', grain; 'kernel' is its diminutive.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s corn "grain", meant any grain, or a single grain: 'corned beef' is cured with 'corns' of salt.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s corn "grain; maize", American colonists shortened 'Indian corn' to 'corn', which is why it means maize in the US.