Etymology Map
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Stripe

2 stages from Middle Dutch to English.

Today it means a long narrow band of a different colour

Where does the word "stripe" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch strijpe, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
strijpe
Middle Dutch · medieval
"stripe"
a stripe in cloth, from the weaving trade of the Low Countries
2
Stage 2 of 2
stripe
English · 1400s
"stripe"
the 'Stars and Stripes' flag was adopted by Congress in 1777
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Read the full story

Stripe’s story begins in Middle Dutch: strijpe meant “stripe.” A stripe in cloth, from the weaving trade of the Low Countries. It reached English by 1400s as stripe. The 'Stars and Stripes' flag was adopted by Congress in 1777. Today, stripe means a long narrow band of a different colour.