harlequin

Where does the word "harlequin" come from? It comes from Italian Arlecchino, passing through English before entering English (1779).

Harlequin’s story begins in Italian: Arlecchino meant “a comic servant character in Italian theater.” A stock bumbling-servant character in commedia dell'arte, of disputed deeper origin. By 1580s, the word had taken hold in English as harlequin. Borrowed for the same stock theatrical character. It reached English by 1779 as harlequin. Extended to a diamond-patterned, multicolored design, after the character's costume. Today, harlequin means a diamond-patterned, multicolored design; historically, a comic pantomime character.

1. Stage 1 · Italian · 1500s Arlecchino "a comic servant character in Italian theater", a stock bumbling-servant character in commedia dell'arte, of disputed deeper origin.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1580s harlequin "a comic pantomime character", borrowed for the same stock theatrical character.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1779 harlequin "a multicolored, diamond-patterned design", extended to a diamond-patterned, multicolored design, after the character's costume.