pantry

Where does the word "pantry" come from? It comes from Latin panis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Pantry’s story begins in Latin: panis meant “bread.” The same root as 'companion', someone you share bread with. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as paneterie. The bread store of a great household, run by the 'panetier'. It reached English by 1300s as pantry. Broadened to a store for all kinds of food. Today, pantry means a small room or cupboard for storing food.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient panis "bread", the same root as 'companion', someone you share bread with.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval paneterie "bread room", the bread store of a great household, run by the 'panetier'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s pantry "a food storeroom", broadened to a store for all kinds of food.