Etymology Map
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Pageant

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a public show; an elaborate procession

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

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

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.