plum

Where does the word "plum" come from? It comes from Latin prunum, passing through Old English before entering English (1700s).

Plum’s story begins in Latin: prunum meant “plum.” Greek 'prou(m)non' was itself likely borrowed from a language of Asia Minor. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old English as plume. An early borrowing from Latin; the r became l, as it did in German 'Pflaume'. It reached English by 1700s as plum. 'a plum job' comes from plums being the choice bits in a pudding. Today, plum means an oval fleshy fruit with a flat stone; something highly desirable.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient prunum "plum", Greek 'prou(m)non' was itself likely borrowed from a language of Asia Minor.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · medieval plume "plum", an early borrowing from Latin; the r became l, as it did in German 'Pflaume'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1700s plum "plum; something desirable", 'a plum job' comes from plums being the choice bits in a pudding.