ox

Where does the word "ox" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic uhsô, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Ox’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: uhsô meant “ox.” Cognate with Sanskrit 'ukṣan', bull. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as oxa. Its plural 'oxan' is why we still say 'oxen'. It reached English by 1500s as ox. Oxford is 'the ford of the oxen'. Today, ox means a castrated bull used for pulling loads.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient uhsô "ox", cognate with Sanskrit 'ukṣan', bull.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s oxa "ox", its plural 'oxan' is why we still say 'oxen'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s ox "ox", Oxford is 'the ford of the oxen'.