hubris

Where does the word "hubris" come from? It comes from Greek hybris, and was adopted directly into English (1880s).

Hubris’s story begins in Greek: hybris meant “arrogance, outrage.” Insolent violence or arrogance; in Athenian law it was a crime, and in tragedy it brings on a hero's downfall. It reached English by 1880s as hubris. Taken up as academic slang at British universities, then in general use. Today, hubris means excessive pride or self-confidence.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient hybris "arrogance, outrage", insolent violence or arrogance; in Athenian law it was a crime, and in tragedy it brings on a hero's downfall.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1880s hubris "excessive pride", taken up as academic slang at British universities, then in general use.