incognito

Where does the word "incognito" come from? It comes from Latin incognitus, passing through Italian before entering English (1600s-1700s).

Incognito’s story begins in Latin: incognitus meant “unknown.” Literally "not known". By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Italian as incognito. Used to describe a person traveling under a disguised identity. It reached English by 1600s-1700s as incognito. Italian, from Latin 'incognitus', unknown; used of travelling royalty who concealed their rank. Today, incognito means having one's true identity concealed, especially while traveling.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient incognitus "unknown", literally "not known".
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1600s incognito "in disguise, unrecognized", used to describe a person traveling under a disguised identity.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s-1700s incognito "having one's identity concealed", Italian, from Latin 'incognitus', unknown; used of travelling royalty who concealed their rank.