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Where does the word "impulse" come from? It comes from Latin impulsus, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).
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Where does the word "impulse" come from? It comes from Latin impulsus, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).
Impulse’s story begins in Latin: impulsus meant “a push.” From 'impellere', to drive on. It reached English by 1640s as impulse. 'impulse buying' dates from the 1950s. Today, impulse means a sudden strong urge.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient impulsus "a push", from 'impellere', to drive on.
- Stage 2 · English · 1640s impulse "push", 'impulse buying' dates from the 1950s.