porter

Where does the word "porter" come from? It comes from Latin portare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Porter’s story begins in Latin: portare meant “to carry.” The root of 'import', 'export' and 'transport'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as portere. Carried into French for a person employed to carry loads. It reached English by 1200s as porter. Settled as the English word for a person who carries luggage or goods. Today, porter means a person employed to carry luggage or goods, especially at a station or hotel.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient portare "to carry", the root of 'import', 'export' and 'transport'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval portere "a person employed to carry loads", carried into French for a person employed to carry loads.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s porter "a person who carries luggage or goods", settled as the English word for a person who carries luggage or goods.