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Risque

3 stages from Italian to English.

Today it means verging on impropriety or indecency, especially in a titillating way

Where does the word "risque" come from? It comes from Italian riscare, passing through French before entering English (1867).

1
Stage 1 of 3
riscare
Italian · medieval
"to risk"
an Italian verb of uncertain deeper origin meaning to risk or dare
2
Stage 2 of 3
risquer
French · 1500s
"to risk, expose to danger"
borrowed from Italian for exposing oneself to chance of injury or loss
3
Stage 3 of 3
risque
English · 1867
"verging on impropriety"
the past participle risqué was borrowed for behavior that dares to skirt impropriety
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