ridicule

Where does the word "ridicule" come from? It comes from Latin ridere, passing through Latin and French before entering English (1670s).

Ridicule’s story begins in Latin: ridere meant “to laugh.” The root of 'derision' and 'risible'. Within Latin, it grew into ridiculus by ancient. Laughable, from ridere. From there it passed into French as ridicule by 1600s. Carried into French for mockery directed at something laughable. It reached English by 1670s as ridicule. Settled as the English word for mockery or contemptuous laughter. Today, ridicule means mockery or contemptuous laughter directed at someone or something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ridere "to laugh", the root of 'derision' and 'risible'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient ridiculus "laughable", laughable, from ridere.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1600s ridicule "mockery directed at something laughable", carried into French for mockery directed at something laughable.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1670s ridicule "mockery or contemptuous laughter directed at someone", settled as the English word for mockery or contemptuous laughter.