plunge

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

Plunge’s story begins in Latin: plumbum meant “lead.” A lead weight dropped to sound water depth, the root of 'plumber'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as plongier. Sailors dropped a lead weight to measure depth, the 'plumb line'. It reached English by 1300s as plunge. 'take the plunge' dates from the 1800s. Today, plunge means to jump or dive quickly.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient plumbum "lead", a lead weight dropped to sound water depth, the root of 'plumber'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval plongier "to dive", sailors dropped a lead weight to measure depth, the 'plumb line'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s plunge "to immerse", 'take the plunge' dates from the 1800s.