sermon

Where does the word "sermon" come from? It comes from Latin sermo, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Sermon’s story begins in Latin: sermo meant “talk, discourse.” Possibly related to 'serere', to join words. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as sermon. A formal religious speech. It reached English by 1200s as sermon. 'sermonize' dates from the 1600s. Today, sermon means a talk on a religious or moral subject.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sermo "talk, discourse", possibly related to 'serere', to join words.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval sermon "sermon", a formal religious speech.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s sermon "religious discourse", 'sermonize' dates from the 1600s.