lemon

Where does the word "lemon" come from? It comes from Persian līmū, passing through Arabic and Old French before entering English (c. 1400s).

Lemon’s story begins in Persian: līmū meant “citrus fruit.” Described citrus fruits brought along trade routes. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Arabic as laymūn. Spread with citrus cultivation across the Islamic world. From there it passed into Old French as limon by c. 1300s. Entered French through Mediterranean trade contact. It reached English by c. 1400s as lemon. Settled as the English name for the fruit. Today, lemon means a yellow, oval citrus fruit with sour juice.

1. Stage 1 · Persian · medieval līmū "citrus fruit", described citrus fruits brought along trade routes.
2. Stage 2 · Arabic · medieval laymūn "lemon", spread with citrus cultivation across the Islamic world.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · c. 1300s limon "lemon", entered French through Mediterranean trade contact.
4. Stage 4 · English · c. 1400s lemon "the lemon fruit", settled as the English name for the fruit.