Etymology Map
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Disguise

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means to change one's appearance to hide identity

Where does the word "disguise" come from? It comes from Frankish wisa, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
wisa
Frankish · ancient
"manner, way"
a Frankish word, the root of 'guise' and related to English 'wise' as in 'otherwise'
2
Stage 2 of 3
desguiser
Old French · medieval
"to change appearance"
to change one's usual dress
3
Stage 3 of 3
disguise
English · 1300s
"to change dress"
'a blessing in disguise' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Disguise’s story begins in Frankish: wisa meant “manner, way.” A Frankish word, the root of 'guise' and related to English 'wise' as in 'otherwise'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as desguiser. To change one's usual dress. It reached English by 1300s as disguise. 'a blessing in disguise' dates from the 1700s. Today, disguise means to change one's appearance to hide identity.