hypocrite

Where does the word "hypocrite" come from? It comes from Greek hypokrites, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Hypocrite’s story begins in Greek: hypokrites meant “an actor, a pretender.” Originally an actor, one who plays a part or pretends. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ypocrite. Narrowed to mean someone pretending to virtue they lack. It reached English by 1200s as hypocrite. Settled as the word for someone who acts against their stated beliefs. Today, hypocrite means a person who claims moral standards they do not actually follow.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient hypokrites "an actor, a pretender", originally an actor, one who plays a part or pretends.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ypocrite "one who feigns virtue", narrowed to mean someone pretending to virtue they lack.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s hypocrite "one who acts against their stated beliefs", settled as the word for someone who acts against their stated beliefs.