courier

Where does the word "courier" come from? It comes from Latin currere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s-1770).

Courier’s story begins in Latin: currere meant “to run.” The plain verb of running. By 1200s, the word had taken hold in Old French as coreor. Named a swift horse before shifting to the rider who used it. It reached English by 1300s-1770 as courier. Narrowed from swift horse to letter-bearing messenger, and later to a hired travel attendant. Today, courier means a person or company employed to deliver messages or packages.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient currere "to run", the plain verb of running.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · 1200s coreor "a fast-running horse; a messenger", named a swift horse before shifting to the rider who used it.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s-1770 courier "a messenger; a travel attendant", narrowed from swift horse to letter-bearing messenger, and later to a hired travel attendant.