fallacy

Where does the word "fallacy" come from? It comes from Latin fallere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Fallacy’s story begins in Latin: fallere meant “to deceive.” The root of 'false', 'fail' and 'fault'. It reached English by 1300s as fallacy. Settled as the English word for a mistaken belief based on unsound reasoning. Today, fallacy means a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound or flawed reasoning.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fallere "to deceive", the root of 'false', 'fail' and 'fault'.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s fallacy "a mistaken belief based on unsound reasoning", settled as the English word for a mistaken belief based on unsound reasoning.