pint

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

Pint’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: pinta meant “painted mark.” Possibly from 'pingere', to paint: a mark on a vessel showing a measure. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pinte. A measure of volume. It reached English by 1300s as pint. 'a pint' became shorthand for a glass of beer. Today, pint means a unit of liquid equal to one-eighth of a gallon.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient pinta "painted mark", possibly from 'pingere', to paint: a mark on a vessel showing a measure.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval pinte "liquid measure", a measure of volume.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s pint "liquid measure", 'a pint' became shorthand for a glass of beer.