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Where does the word "status quo" come from? It comes from Latin status quo, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
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Where does the word "status quo" come from? It comes from Latin status quo, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
Status quo’s story begins in Latin: status quo meant “the existing state of affairs.” Literally the state in which, referring to the existing state of affairs. It reached English by 1800s as status quo. Short for Latin 'status quo ante bellum', the state before the war, a diplomatic phrase. Today, status quo means the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.
- Stage 1 · Latin · medieval status quo "the existing state of affairs", literally the state in which, referring to the existing state of affairs.
- Stage 2 · English · 1800s status quo "the existing state of affairs", short for Latin 'status quo ante bellum', the state before the war, a diplomatic phrase.