Etymology Map
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Eulogy

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a speech or piece of writing praising someone, especially one who has died

Where does the word "eulogy" come from? It comes from Greek eulogia, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
eulogia
Greek · ancient
"praise"
praise, 'good words', from 'eu', well, and 'logos', speech
2
Stage 2 of 3
eulogium
Medieval Latin · medieval
"praise, epitaph"
confused with Latin 'elogium', an inscription on a tomb
3
Stage 3 of 3
eulogy
English · 1590s
"funeral praise"
the funeral sense grew from its association with tomb inscriptions
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Read the full story

Eulogy’s story begins in Greek: eulogia meant “praise.” Praise, 'good words', from 'eu', well, and 'logos', speech. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as eulogium. Confused with Latin 'elogium', an inscription on a tomb. It reached English by 1590s as eulogy. The funeral sense grew from its association with tomb inscriptions. Today, eulogy means a speech or piece of writing praising someone, especially one who has died.