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Sotto voce

2 stages from Italian to English.

Today it means in a quiet voice, as if not to be overheard

Where does the word "sotto voce" come from? It comes from Italian sotto voce, adopted directly into English (1730s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
sotto voce
Italian · 1600s
"under the voice"
'under the voice', a direction in music and theatre
2
Stage 2 of 2
sotto voce
English · 1730s
"quietly"
used for asides and whispered remarks
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Read the full story

Sotto voce’s story begins in Italian: sotto voce meant “under the voice.” 'under the voice', a direction in music and theatre. It reached English by 1730s as sotto voce. Used for asides and whispered remarks. Today, sotto voce means in a quiet voice, as if not to be overheard.