ersatz

Where does the word "ersatz" come from? It comes from German ersetzen, passing through German before entering English (1900s).

Ersatz’s story begins in German: ersetzen meant “to replace.” Within German, it grew into Ersatz by 1800s. The noun form meaning a substitute or replacement. It reached English by 1900s as ersatz. Adopted especially during wartime shortages. Today, ersatz means an artificial substitute, typically inferior to the genuine article.

1. Stage 1 · German · medieval ersetzen "to replace", meaning "to replace".
2. Stage 2 · German · 1800s Ersatz "a substitute", the noun form meaning a substitute or replacement.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s ersatz "an artificial or inferior substitute", adopted especially during wartime shortages.