stoic

Where does the word "stoic" come from? It comes from Greek stoa poikile, and was adopted directly into English (1570s).

Stoic’s story begins in Greek: stoa poikile meant “the painted porch, a meeting place.” Literally the painted porch, an Athenian colonnade where philosophers taught endurance and reason. It reached English by 1570s as stoic. Broadened from the philosophical school to anyone enduring hardship without complaint. Today, stoic means a person who endures hardship or pain without complaint.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient stoa poikile "the painted porch, a meeting place", literally the painted porch, an Athenian colonnade where philosophers taught endurance and reason.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1570s stoic "enduring hardship without complaint", broadened from the philosophical school to anyone enduring hardship without complaint.