Etymology Map
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Harlot

3 stages from Old French to English.

Today it means (archaic) a prostitute or promiscuous woman

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

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

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.