extravaganza

Where does the word "extravaganza" come from? It comes from Latin extra + vagari, passing through Italian before entering English (1754-1794).

Extravaganza’s story begins in Latin: extra + vagari meant “to wander outside, beyond.” 'outside' plus 'to wander' combined. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as estravagante. Described something wandering beyond normal bounds. By 1700s, Italian speakers had reshaped it into extravaganza. A noun coined for extravagant, eccentric behavior. It reached English by 1754-1794 as extravaganza. Entered for peculiar behavior, then specialized to an elaborate, fantastical stage spectacle. Today, extravaganza means an elaborate, spectacular public entertainment or display.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient extra + vagari "to wander outside, beyond", 'outside' plus 'to wander' combined.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval estravagante "extravagant, wandering beyond", described something wandering beyond normal bounds.
3. Stage 3 · Italian · 1700s extravaganza "an extravagance; eccentric behavior", a noun coined for extravagant, eccentric behavior.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1754-1794 extravaganza "an elaborate, spectacular entertainment", entered for peculiar behavior, then specialized to an elaborate, fantastical stage spectacle.