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Where does the word "sport" come from? It comes from Latin deportare, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "sport" come from? It comes from Latin deportare, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
Sport’s story begins in Latin: deportare meant “to carry away.” 'de-', away, plus 'portare', to carry: carrying one's mind away from work. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as desporter. 'disport' was shortened to 'sport'. It reached English by 1400s as sport. Organized 'sports' date from the 1800s. Today, sport means a competitive physical activity.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient deportare "to carry away", 'de-', away, plus 'portare', to carry: carrying one's mind away from work.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval desporter "to amuse oneself", 'disport' was shortened to 'sport'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s sport "pastime", organized 'sports' date from the 1800s.