soap

Where does the word "soap" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic saipǭ, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Soap’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: saipǭ meant “soap.” Latin 'sāpō' was borrowed from Germanic; Pliny says Gauls and Germans used it to redden their hair. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as sāpe. Made from animal fat and wood ash. It reached English by 1500s as soap. 'soap opera' dates from the 1930s, when soap makers sponsored radio serials. Today, soap means a substance used with water for washing.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient saipǭ "soap", Latin 'sāpō' was borrowed from Germanic; Pliny says Gauls and Germans used it to redden their hair.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s sāpe "soap", made from animal fat and wood ash.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s soap "soap", 'soap opera' dates from the 1930s, when soap makers sponsored radio serials.