propaganda

Where does the word "propaganda" come from? It comes from Latin propagare, passing through Latin before entering English (1790s).

Propaganda’s story begins in Latin: propagare meant “to spread, to propagate.” To spread, to propagate, from pro- (forward) and pangere (to fasten). Within Latin, it grew into Propaganda by 1622. Named for a Catholic Church committee established to spread the faith abroad. It reached English by 1790s as propaganda. Broadened to mean biased information spread to promote a cause. Today, propaganda means biased or misleading information used to promote a political cause or point of view.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient propagare "to spread, to propagate", to spread, to propagate, from pro- (forward) and pangere (to fasten).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · 1622 Propaganda "a committee for spreading the faith", named for a Catholic Church committee established to spread the faith abroad.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1790s propaganda "biased information spread to promote a cause", broadened to mean biased information spread to promote a cause.