foyer

Where does the word "foyer" come from? It comes from Latin focus, passing through Old French and French before entering English (1859).

Foyer’s story begins in Latin: focus meant “hearth, fireplace.” A plain word for a hearth or fireplace. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Old French as foier. Kept the sense of a fire or furnace. From there it passed into French as foyer by medieval. Extended, via 'gathering place by the fire', to the green room where actors waited. It reached English by 1859 as foyer. Borrowed for the lobby of a theater or opera house. Today, foyer means an entrance hall or lobby, especially of a theater or hotel.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient focus "hearth, fireplace", a plain word for a hearth or fireplace.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · 1100s foier "furnace, hearth", kept the sense of a fire or furnace.
3. Stage 3 · French · medieval foyer "a green room for actors", extended, via 'gathering place by the fire', to the green room where actors waited.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1859 foyer "the lobby of a theater", borrowed for the lobby of a theater or opera house.