niche

Where does the word "niche" come from? It comes from Latin nidus, passing through French before entering English (1600s-1700s).

Niche’s story begins in Latin: nidus meant “nest.” By medieval, the word had taken hold in French as niche. Came to mean a recessed space in a wall, like a nest. It reached English by 1600s-1700s as niche. From French 'nicher', to nest; ecologists use 'niche' for a species' role. Today, niche means a specialized segment of the market, or a role particularly suited to someone.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient nidus "nest", meaning "nest".
2. Stage 2 · French · medieval niche "a recessed wall space", came to mean a recessed space in a wall, like a nest.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s-1700s niche "a specialized position or role suited to someone", from French 'nicher', to nest; ecologists use 'niche' for a species' role.