macho

Where does the word "macho" come from? It comes from Latin masculus, passing through Spanish before entering English (1900s).

Macho’s story begins in Latin: masculus meant “male.” By medieval, the word had taken hold in Spanish as macho. Meaning "male" and later, exaggerated masculinity. It reached English by 1900s as macho. Spanish 'male'; 'machismo' entered English in the 1940s. Today, macho means showing exaggerated or aggressive masculine pride.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient masculus "male", meaning "male".
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · medieval macho "male; exaggeratedly masculine", meaning "male" and later, exaggerated masculinity.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s macho "exaggeratedly or aggressively masculine", Spanish 'male'; 'machismo' entered English in the 1940s.