myth

Where does the word "myth" come from? It comes from Greek mythos, passing through Latin before entering English (1800s).

Myth’s story begins in Greek: mythos meant “a traditional story.” Meaning "story" or "word", a traditional tale. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as mythus. Adopted for traditional legendary narratives. It reached English by 1800s as myth. Settled as the English word for a traditional or false story. Today, myth means a traditional story explaining natural or social phenomena, or a widely held false belief.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient mythos "a traditional story", meaning "story" or "word", a traditional tale.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient mythus "a legendary story", adopted for traditional legendary narratives.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s myth "a traditional story, or a widely held but false belief", settled as the English word for a traditional or false story.