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Where does the word "hyperbole" come from? It comes from Greek hyperbole, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
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Where does the word "hyperbole" come from? It comes from Greek hyperbole, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
Hyperbole’s story begins in Greek: hyperbole meant “an exceeding, exaggeration.” Literally a throwing beyond, from hyper (beyond) and ballein (to throw). It reached English by 1500s as hyperbole. Settled as the word for deliberate exaggeration. Today, hyperbole means exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient hyperbole "an exceeding, exaggeration", literally a throwing beyond, from hyper (beyond) and ballein (to throw).
- Stage 2 · English · 1500s hyperbole "deliberate exaggeration for effect", settled as the word for deliberate exaggeration.