escapade

Where does the word "escapade" come from? It comes from Spanish escapada, passing through French before entering English (1650s).

Escapade’s story begins in Spanish: escapada meant “escape.” An escape or flight. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as escapade. Borrowed from Spanish or Italian. It reached English by 1650s as escapade. First an escape; the sense 'wild adventure' followed in the 1800s. Today, escapade means an act or incident involving excitement, daring or adventure.

1. Stage 1 · Spanish · 1500s escapada "escape", an escape or flight.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1600s escapade "escape; prank", borrowed from Spanish or Italian.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1650s escapade "adventure", first an escape; the sense 'wild adventure' followed in the 1800s.