paradox

Where does the word "paradox" come from? It comes from Greek paradoxon, passing through Latin and French before entering English (1500s).

Paradox’s story begins in Greek: paradoxon meant “contrary to opinion.” Literally "contrary to expectation", from "para" (beyond) and "doxa" (opinion). By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as paradoxum. Greek 'contrary to opinion'; Zeno's paradoxes of motion are classic examples. From there it passed into French as paradoxe by medieval. Carried the concept into French. It reached English by 1500s as paradox. Settled as the English word for a self-contradictory truth. Today, paradox means a statement or situation that seems contradictory but may be true.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient paradoxon "contrary to opinion", literally "contrary to expectation", from "para" (beyond) and "doxa" (opinion).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient paradoxum "a statement contrary to belief", Greek 'contrary to opinion'; Zeno's paradoxes of motion are classic examples.
3. Stage 3 · French · medieval paradoxe "a seemingly contradictory statement", carried the concept into French.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1500s paradox "a statement that seems contradictory but may be true", settled as the English word for a self-contradictory truth.