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Where does the word "phenomenon" come from? It comes from Greek phainomenon, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).
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Where does the word "phenomenon" come from? It comes from Greek phainomenon, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).
Phenomenon’s story begins in Greek: phainomenon meant “thing appearing.” Greek, from 'phainein', to show. It reached English by 1600s as phenomenon. 'phenomenal' as 'amazing' dates from the 1800s. Today, phenomenon means a fact or event that is observed.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient phainomenon "thing appearing", Greek, from 'phainein', to show.
- Stage 2 · English · 1600s phenomenon "observable fact", 'phenomenal' as 'amazing' dates from the 1800s.