Etymology Map
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Juggle

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to keep several objects in the air; to manage many tasks

Where does the word "juggle" come from? It comes from Latin joculari, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
joculari
Latin · ancient
"to jest"
from 'jocus', joke
2
Stage 2 of 3
jogler
Old French · medieval
"to perform tricks"
medieval jongleurs were travelling entertainers
3
Stage 3 of 3
juggle
English · 1300s
"to perform tricks"
keeping balls in the air dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Juggle’s story begins in Latin: joculari meant “to jest.” From 'jocus', joke. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as jogler. Medieval jongleurs were travelling entertainers. It reached English by 1300s as juggle. Keeping balls in the air dates from the 1800s. Today, juggle means to keep several objects in the air; to manage many tasks.