Etymology Map
Back to all words

Diplomat

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means an official representing a country abroad

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

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

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.