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Phenomenon

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a fact or event that is observed

Where does the word "phenomenon" come from? It comes from Greek phainomenon, adopted directly into English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
phainomenon
Greek · ancient
"thing appearing"
Greek, from 'phainein', to show
2
Stage 2 of 2
phenomenon
English · 1600s
"observable fact"
'phenomenal' as 'amazing' dates from the 1800s
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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.