guide

Where does the word "guide" come from? It comes from Frankish witan, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Guide’s story begins in Frankish: witan meant “to know, show the way.” A Frankish word related to English 'wit' and 'wise'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as guider. Germanic w became gu in French, as in 'guard' for 'ward'. It reached English by 1300s as guide. 'guidebook' dates from the 1820s. Today, guide means to show the way.

1. Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient witan "to know, show the way", a Frankish word related to English 'wit' and 'wise'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval guider "to lead", Germanic w became gu in French, as in 'guard' for 'ward'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s guide "to lead", 'guidebook' dates from the 1820s.