Etymology Map
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Escapade

3 stages from Spanish to English.

Today it means an act or incident involving excitement, daring or adventure

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

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

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.