ordinary

Where does the word "ordinary" come from? It comes from Latin ordinarius, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Ordinary’s story begins in Latin: ordinarius meant “orderly.” From 'ordo', order. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ordinarie. A bishop is called the 'ordinary' of his diocese in church law. It reached English by 1400s as ordinary. 'out of the ordinary' dates from the 1600s. Today, ordinary means with no special features.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ordinarius "orderly", from 'ordo', order.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ordinarie "regular", a bishop is called the 'ordinary' of his diocese in church law.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s ordinary "regular", 'out of the ordinary' dates from the 1600s.