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Where does the word "quack" come from? It comes from Dutch kwakzalver, passing through English before entering English (1650s).
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Where does the word "quack" come from? It comes from Dutch kwakzalver, passing through English before entering English (1650s).
Quack’s story begins in Dutch: kwakzalver meant “salve-seller.” A hawker of salves, from 'kwakken', to chatter or boast, and 'zalf', ointment. By 1570s, the word had taken hold in English as quacksalver. Borrowed for travelling medicine sellers. It reached English by 1650s as quack. Shortened from 'quacksalver'. Today, quack means a person who dishonestly claims medical knowledge.
- Stage 1 · Dutch · 1500s kwakzalver "salve-seller", a hawker of salves, from 'kwakken', to chatter or boast, and 'zalf', ointment.
- Stage 2 · English · 1570s quacksalver "fake doctor", borrowed for travelling medicine sellers.
- Stage 3 · English · 1650s quack "fake doctor", shortened from 'quacksalver'.