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Where does the word "decorum" come from? It comes from Latin decōrum, and was adopted directly into English (1560s).
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Where does the word "decorum" come from? It comes from Latin decōrum, and was adopted directly into English (1560s).
Decorum’s story begins in Latin: decōrum meant “what is fitting.” 'that which is fitting', from 'decēre', to be fitting; Horace made it a rule of poetry. It reached English by 1560s as decorum. Borrowed through Renaissance literary theory, then applied to manners. Today, decorum means behaviour in keeping with good taste and propriety.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient decōrum "what is fitting", 'that which is fitting', from 'decēre', to be fitting; Horace made it a rule of poetry.
- Stage 2 · English · 1560s decorum "propriety", borrowed through Renaissance literary theory, then applied to manners.