Etymology Map
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Pocket

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a small pouch in clothing

Where does the word "pocket" come from? It comes from Frankish pokka, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pokka
Frankish · ancient
"bag"
a Frankish word related to 'poke' as in 'pig in a poke'
2
Stage 2 of 3
poquet
Old French · medieval
"small bag"
Norman French diminutive
3
Stage 3 of 3
pocket
English · 1400s
"a small bag"
sewn-in pockets date from the 1600s
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Read the full story

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.