derogatory

Where does the word "derogatory" come from? It comes from Latin rogare, passing through Latin and Late Latin before entering English (1500s).

Derogatory’s story begins in Latin: rogare meant “to ask.” To ask, combined with de- (away from). Within Latin, it grew into derogare by ancient. To take away from, to detract, from de- and rogare. From there it passed into Late Latin as derogatorius by medieval. Tending to detract, from derogare. It reached English by 1500s as derogatory. Settled as the English word for something showing a critical or disrespectful attitude. Today, derogatory means showing a critical or disrespectful attitude, intended to belittle someone.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient rogare "to ask", to ask, combined with de- (away from).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient derogare "to take away from, to detract", to take away from, to detract, from de- and rogare.
3. Stage 3 · Late Latin · medieval derogatorius "tending to detract", tending to detract, from derogare.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1500s derogatory "showing a critical or disrespectful attitude", settled as the English word for something showing a critical or disrespectful attitude.