Etymology Map
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Forum

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a place for public discussion

Where does the word "forum" come from? It comes from Latin forum, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
forum
Latin · ancient
"marketplace"
the public square of a Roman town
2
Stage 2 of 2
forum
English · 1530s
"public square"
internet 'forums' date from the 1980s
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Read the full story

Forum’s story begins in Latin: forum meant “marketplace.” The public square of a Roman town. It reached English by 1530s as forum. Internet 'forums' date from the 1980s. Today, forum means a place for public discussion.