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Where does the word "narcissism" come from? It comes from Greek Narkissos, passing through German before entering English (1900s).
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Where does the word "narcissism" come from? It comes from Greek Narkissos, passing through German before entering English (1900s).
Narcissism’s story begins in Greek: Narkissos meant “the mythical youth Narcissus.” A youth in myth who fell in love with his own reflection. By 1899, the word had taken hold in German as Narzissismus. Coined by German psychiatrist Paul Näcke for excessive self-love, from the myth. It reached English by 1900s as narcissism. Havelock Ellis described it in 1898; Freud's 1914 essay 'On Narcissism' made it central in psychology. Today, narcissism means excessive self-admiration or self-centeredness.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient Narkissos "the mythical youth Narcissus", a youth in myth who fell in love with his own reflection.
- Stage 2 · German · 1899 Narzissismus "excessive self-love", coined by German psychiatrist Paul Näcke for excessive self-love, from the myth.
- Stage 3 · English · 1900s narcissism "excessive interest in or admiration of oneself", Havelock Ellis described it in 1898; Freud's 1914 essay 'On Narcissism' made it central in psychology.