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Where does the word "curious" come from? It comes from Latin curiosus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "curious" come from? It comes from Latin curiosus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Curious’s story begins in Latin: curiosus meant “careful, inquisitive.” From 'cura', care. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as curios. A 'cabinet of curiosities' displayed rare objects in the 1600s. It reached English by 1300s as curious. 'curiouser and curiouser' is from Alice in Wonderland. Today, curious means eager to know; strange.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient curiosus "careful, inquisitive", from 'cura', care.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval curios "careful, inquisitive", a 'cabinet of curiosities' displayed rare objects in the 1600s.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s curious "careful; eager to know", 'curiouser and curiouser' is from Alice in Wonderland.