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Where does the word "debut" come from? It comes from French débuter, passing through French before entering English (1700s).
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Where does the word "debut" come from? It comes from French débuter, passing through French before entering English (1700s).
Debut’s story begins in French: débuter meant “to go first, to lead off.” Originally a term from bowling games, meaning to go first. Within French, it grew into début by 1700s. Came to mean a first public appearance. It reached English by 1700s as debut. Society girls 'came out' at a debut ball, giving 'debutante'. Today, debut means a person's first public appearance or performance.
- Stage 1 · French · medieval débuter "to go first, to lead off", originally a term from bowling games, meaning to go first.
- Stage 2 · French · 1700s début "a first appearance", came to mean a first public appearance.
- Stage 3 · English · 1700s debut "a first public appearance or performance", society girls 'came out' at a debut ball, giving 'debutante'.