Etymology Map
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Pint

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a unit of liquid equal to one-eighth of a gallon

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

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

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.