glamour

Where does the word "glamour" come from? It comes from Latin grammatica, passing through Scots before entering English (1720s).

Glamour’s story begins in Latin: grammatica meant “grammar, learning.” From Greek 'grammatikē', the art of letters. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in Scots as glamer. A Scots alteration of 'grammar', meaning a magic enchantment. It reached English by 1720s as glamour. Walter Scott popularized it; the sense 'alluring charm' dates from the 1800s. Today, glamour means attractive or exciting quality.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient grammatica "grammar, learning", from Greek 'grammatikē', the art of letters.
2. Stage 2 · Scots · 1700s glamer "magic spell", a Scots alteration of 'grammar', meaning a magic enchantment.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1720s glamour "magic spell", Walter Scott popularized it; the sense 'alluring charm' dates from the 1800s.