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Where does the word "stamp" come from? It comes from Frankish stampon, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "stamp" come from? It comes from Frankish stampon, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Stamp’s story begins in Frankish: stampon meant “to pound.” A Frankish word; Old English had a related 'stempan'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estamper. The Stamp Act of 1765 taxed printed paper in the American colonies. It reached English by 1200s as stamp. Postage stamps date from 1840. Today, stamp means a small adhesive label for postage; to press down.
- Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient stampon "to pound", a Frankish word; Old English had a related 'stempan'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval estamper "to stamp", the Stamp Act of 1765 taxed printed paper in the American colonies.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s stamp "to pound", postage stamps date from 1840.