please

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

Please’s story begins in Latin: placere meant “to be agreeable.” The root of 'placid' and 'complacent'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as plaisir. The infinitive also became the noun 'pleasure'. It reached English by 1300s as please. The polite 'please' is short for 'if it please you'. Today, please means to make someone happy; used to make a polite request.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient placere "to be agreeable", the root of 'placid' and 'complacent'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval plaisir "to please", the infinitive also became the noun 'pleasure'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s please "to give satisfaction", the polite 'please' is short for 'if it please you'.