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Where does the word "pocket" come from? It comes from Frankish pokka, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "pocket" come from? It comes from Frankish pokka, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
Pocket’s story begins in Frankish: pokka meant “bag.” A Frankish word related to 'poke' as in 'pig in a poke'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as poquet. Norman French diminutive. It reached English by 1400s as pocket. Sewn-in pockets date from the 1600s. Today, pocket means a small pouch in clothing.
- Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient pokka "bag", a Frankish word related to 'poke' as in 'pig in a poke'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval poquet "small bag", Norman French diminutive.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s pocket "a small bag", sewn-in pockets date from the 1600s.