eureka

Where does the word "eureka" come from? It comes from Greek heureka, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Eureka’s story begins in Greek: heureka meant “I have found it.” Literally I have found it, famously exclaimed by Archimedes upon a sudden discovery. It reached English by 1600s as eureka. Greek 'I have found it', supposedly cried by Archimedes in his bath; it is California's state motto. Today, eureka means an exclamation of joy or satisfaction upon finding or discovering something.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient heureka "I have found it", literally I have found it, famously exclaimed by Archimedes upon a sudden discovery.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s eureka "an exclamation of triumphant discovery", Greek 'I have found it', supposedly cried by Archimedes in his bath; it is California's state motto.