diplomat

Where does the word "diplomat" come from? It comes from Greek diplōma, passing through French before entering English (1810s).

Diplomat’s story begins in Greek: diplōma meant “folded paper.” Greek, from 'diploun', to double: official documents were folded. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as diplomate. Coined in French in the 1790s. It reached English by 1810s as diplomat. 'diplomatic' as tactful dates from the 1800s. Today, diplomat means an official representing a country abroad.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient diplōma "folded paper", Greek, from 'diploun', to double: official documents were folded.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s diplomate "diplomat", coined in French in the 1790s.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1810s diplomat "envoy", 'diplomatic' as tactful dates from the 1800s.