Etymology Map
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Savvy

2 stages from Spanish to English.

Today it means shrewd; practical knowledge

Where does the word "savvy" come from? It comes from Spanish sabe, adopted directly into English (1780s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
sabe
Spanish · medieval
"knows"
'he knows', from 'saber', to know; Portuguese 'sabe' is the same
2
Stage 2 of 2
savvy
English · 1780s
"know-how"
spread through the pidgin of sailors and traders in the Caribbean and Africa: '¿sabe usted?', do you know?
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Read the full story

Savvy’s story begins in Spanish: sabe meant “knows.” 'he knows', from 'saber', to know; Portuguese 'sabe' is the same. It reached English by 1780s as savvy. Spread through the pidgin of sailors and traders in the Caribbean and Africa: '¿sabe usted?', do you know? Today, savvy means shrewd; practical knowledge.