father

Where does the word "father" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic fađēr, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Father’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: fađēr meant “father.” Grimm's law turned the ancient 'p' of Latin 'pater' into 'f' in the Germanic languages. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as fæder. 'Fæder ūre', Our Father, opens the Old English Lord's Prayer. It reached English by 1500s as father. The 'd' shifted to 'th' in the 1500s, the same change seen in 'mother' and 'weather'. Today, father means a male parent.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient fađēr "father", Grimm's law turned the ancient 'p' of Latin 'pater' into 'f' in the Germanic languages.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s fæder "father", 'Fæder ūre', Our Father, opens the Old English Lord's Prayer.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s father "male parent", the 'd' shifted to 'th' in the 1500s, the same change seen in 'mother' and 'weather'.