Etymology Map
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Stomach

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means the internal organ where food is digested

Where does the word "stomach" come from? It comes from Greek stomachos, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
stomachos
Greek · ancient
"throat, gullet"
Greek, from 'stoma', mouth
2
Stage 2 of 3
estomac
Old French · medieval
"stomach"
also meant temper or pride
3
Stage 3 of 3
stomach
English · 1300s
"the organ"
'can't stomach it' keeps the older sense of temper
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Read the full story

Stomach’s story begins in Greek: stomachos meant “throat, gullet.” Greek, from 'stoma', mouth. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estomac. Also meant temper or pride. It reached English by 1300s as stomach. 'can't stomach it' keeps the older sense of temper. Today, stomach means the internal organ where food is digested.