Etymology Map
Back to all words

Larder

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a room or cupboard for storing food

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
lardum
Latin · ancient
"bacon fat"
the root of 'lard'
2
Stage 2 of 3
lardier
Old French · medieval
"meat store"
a room for storing bacon and meat
3
Stage 3 of 3
larder
English · 1300s
"meat store"
broadened to any food store
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Larder’s story begins in Latin: lardum meant “bacon fat.” The root of 'lard'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as lardier. A room for storing bacon and meat. It reached English by 1300s as larder. Broadened to any food store. Today, larder means a room or cupboard for storing food.