Etymology Map
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Rhetoric

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means persuasive speaking or writing, often suggesting insincerity

Where does the word "rhetoric" come from? It comes from Greek rhētorikē, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
rhētorikē
Greek · ancient
"art of oratory"
short for 'the art of the public speaker'; Aristotle wrote the defining treatise on it
2
Stage 2 of 3
rhetorica
Latin · ancient
"rhetoric"
one of the three core medieval school subjects with grammar and logic
3
Stage 3 of 3
rhetoric
English · 1300s
"the art of persuasion"
has since gained a negative sense of empty, insincere talk
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Read the full story

Rhetoric’s story begins in Greek: rhētorikē meant “art of oratory.” Short for 'the art of the public speaker'; Aristotle wrote the defining treatise on it. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as rhetorica. One of the three core medieval school subjects with grammar and logic. It reached English by 1300s as rhetoric. Has since gained a negative sense of empty, insincere talk. Today, rhetoric means persuasive speaking or writing, often suggesting insincerity.