pageant

Where does the word "pageant" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin pagina, passing through Middle English before entering English (1300s).

Pageant’s story begins in Medieval Latin: pagina meant “page, sheet.” A written page, later a stage scene. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as pagyn. Used for the wagon stages of the York and Chester mystery plays. It reached English by 1300s as pageant. Beauty 'pageants' date from the 1900s. Today, pageant means a public show; an elaborate procession.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval pagina "page, sheet", a written page, later a stage scene.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s pagyn "scene of a play", used for the wagon stages of the York and Chester mystery plays.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s pageant "play; stage", beauty 'pageants' date from the 1900s.