Etymology Map
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Spy

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a person who secretly gathers information

Where does the word "spy" come from? It comes from Frankish spehon, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
spehon
Frankish · ancient
"to watch"
a Frankish word related to German 'spähen', to look out
2
Stage 2 of 3
espier
Old French · medieval
"to watch"
'espionage' shares the root
3
Stage 3 of 3
spy
English · 1200s
"to watch secretly"
'spyglass' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Spy’s story begins in Frankish: spehon meant “to watch.” A Frankish word related to German 'spähen', to look out. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as espier. 'espionage' shares the root. It reached English by 1200s as spy. 'spyglass' dates from the 1700s. Today, spy means a person who secretly gathers information.