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Problem

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a matter needing a solution

Where does the word "problem" come from? It comes from Greek problēma, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

problēma→probleme→problem

Greek · ancient

"thing put forward"

Greek, 'pro-', forward, plus 'ballein', to throw

Old French · medieval

came via Latin 'problema'

English · 1300s

"difficult question"

'no problem' dates from the 1900s

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Problem’s story begins in Greek: problēma meant “thing put forward.” Greek, 'pro-', forward, plus 'ballein', to throw. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as probleme. Came via Latin 'problema'. It reached English by 1300s as problem. 'no problem' dates from the 1900s. Today, problem means a matter needing a solution.