Etymology Map
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Rude

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means offensively impolite

Where does the word "rude" come from? It comes from Latin rudis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
rudis
Latin · ancient
"unwrought, raw"
used of rough, unpolished material
2
Stage 2 of 3
rude
Old French · medieval
"coarse, ignorant"
unrefined in manners
3
Stage 3 of 3
rude
English · 1300s
"rough"
'rude awakening' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Rude’s story begins in Latin: rudis meant “unwrought, raw.” Used of rough, unpolished material. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as rude. Unrefined in manners. It reached English by 1300s as rude. 'rude awakening' dates from the 1800s. Today, rude means offensively impolite.