Etymology Map
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Gauge

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means an instrument for measuring

Where does the word "gauge" come from? It comes from Frankish galga, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
galga
Frankish · ancient
"measuring rod"
a Frankish word of uncertain origin
2
Stage 2 of 3
gauge
Old French · medieval
"standard measure"
Norman French form of 'jauge'
3
Stage 3 of 3
gauge
English · 1400s
"measure"
railway track 'gauge' dates from the 1840s
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Read the full story

Gauge’s story begins in Frankish: galga meant “measuring rod.” A Frankish word of uncertain origin. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as gauge. Norman French form of 'jauge'. It reached English by 1400s as gauge. Railway track 'gauge' dates from the 1840s. Today, gauge means an instrument for measuring.