hostel

Where does the word "hostel" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin hospitale, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Hostel’s story begins in Medieval Latin: hospitale meant “guesthouse.” From 'hospes', host or guest. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as hostel. An inn or lodging. It reached English by 1200s as hostel. 'youth hostels' date from the 1900s. Today, hostel means cheap lodging for travellers.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval hospitale "guesthouse", from 'hospes', host or guest.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval hostel "inn", an inn or lodging.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s hostel "inn", 'youth hostels' date from the 1900s.