podium

Where does the word "podium" come from? It comes from Greek podion, passing through Latin before entering English (1740s).

Podium’s story begins in Greek: podion meant “base, pedestal.” Greek, from 'pous', foot. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as podium. A raised base in a Roman amphitheatre. It reached English by 1740s as podium. Olympic podiums date from the 1930s. Today, podium means a small platform for a speaker or winner.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient podion "base, pedestal", Greek, from 'pous', foot.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient podium "raised platform", a raised base in a Roman amphitheatre.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1740s podium "raised base", Olympic podiums date from the 1930s.