harlot

Where does the word "harlot" come from? It comes from Old French herlot, passing through Middle English before entering English (1400s).

Harlot’s story begins in Old French: herlot meant “vagabond.” 'vagabond, rogue', a word for men, of unknown origin. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as harlot. A rascal or lowly male servant; Chaucer calls his Summoner 'a gentil harlot and a kynde'. It reached English by 1400s as harlot. Narrowed to 'prostitute', helped by Bible translations that used it for the Latin meretrix. Today, harlot means (archaic) a prostitute or promiscuous woman.

1. Stage 1 · Old French · 1200s herlot "vagabond", 'vagabond, rogue', a word for men, of unknown origin.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s harlot "rascal, fellow", a rascal or lowly male servant; Chaucer calls his Summoner 'a gentil harlot and a kynde'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s harlot "prostitute", narrowed to 'prostitute', helped by Bible translations that used it for the Latin meretrix.