Etymology Map
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Gum

4 stages from Egyptian to English.

Today it means a sticky plant secretion; chewing gum

Where does the word "gum" come from? It comes from Egyptian kmj, passing through Greek and Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
kmj
Egyptian · ancient
"gum resin"
an Egyptian word for acacia resin, borrowed into Greek as 'kommi'
2
Stage 2 of 4
kommi
Greek · ancient
"gum"
used for acacia resin imported from Egypt
3
Stage 3 of 4
gomme
Old French · medieval
"gum"
came via Latin 'gummi'
4
Stage 4 of 4
gum
English · 1300s
"plant resin"
chewing gum dates from the 1840s in the US
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Read the full story

Gum’s story begins in Egyptian: kmj meant “gum resin.” An Egyptian word for acacia resin, borrowed into Greek as 'kommi'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Greek as kommi. Used for acacia resin imported from Egypt. From there it passed into Old French as gomme by medieval. Came via Latin 'gummi'. It reached English by 1300s as gum. Chewing gum dates from the 1840s in the US. Today, gum means a sticky plant secretion; chewing gum.