Etymology Map
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Omnibus

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a volume collecting several works; old term for a bus

Where does the word "omnibus" come from? It comes from Latin omnibus, passing through French before entering English (1829).

1
Stage 1 of 3
omnibus
Latin · ancient
"for everyone"
dative plural of 'omnis', all
2
Stage 2 of 3
omnibus
French · 1820s
"public vehicle"
a public carriage service in Nantes, possibly named after a shop called Omnès
3
Stage 3 of 3
omnibus
English · 1829
"a bus; a collection"
shortened to 'bus' within a few years
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Read the full story

Omnibus’s story begins in Latin: omnibus meant “for everyone.” Dative plural of 'omnis', all. By 1820s, the word had taken hold in French as omnibus. A public carriage service in Nantes, possibly named after a shop called Omnès. It reached English by 1829 as omnibus. Shortened to 'bus' within a few years. Today, omnibus means a volume collecting several works; old term for a bus.