rodeo

Where does the word "rodeo" come from? It comes from Spanish rodear, passing through Mexican Spanish before entering English (1800s).

Rodeo’s story begins in Spanish: rodear meant “to round up, encircle.” Meaning "to go around", describing herding cattle. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in Mexican Spanish as rodeo. A cattle roundup and the skills displayed there. It reached English by 1800s as rodeo. Spanish 'roundup', from 'rodear', to surround; Prescott, Arizona claims the first rodeo, in 1888. Today, rodeo means a competitive sporting event featuring cattle- and horse-handling skills.

1. Stage 1 · Spanish · medieval rodear "to round up, encircle", meaning "to go around", describing herding cattle.
2. Stage 2 · Mexican Spanish · 1700s rodeo "a cattle roundup", a cattle roundup and the skills displayed there.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s rodeo "a competitive event of ranching skills", Spanish 'roundup', from 'rodear', to surround; Prescott, Arizona claims the first rodeo, in 1888.