Etymology Map
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Flatter

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means to praise excessively

Where does the word "flatter" come from? It comes from Frankish flat, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
flat
Frankish · ancient
"flat"
a Frankish word for smooth or flat
2
Stage 2 of 3
flater
Old French · medieval
"to caress, stroke"
smoothing someone down with praise
3
Stage 3 of 3
flatter
English · 1200s
"to praise insincerely"
'flattering' clothes date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Flatter’s story begins in Frankish: flat meant “flat.” A Frankish word for smooth or flat. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as flater. Smoothing someone down with praise. It reached English by 1200s as flatter. 'flattering' clothes date from the 1900s. Today, flatter means to praise excessively.