sturgeon

Where does the word "sturgeon" come from? It comes from Frankish sturjo, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Sturgeon’s story begins in Frankish: sturjo meant “sturgeon.” A Frankish word; the fish swam in North Sea rivers. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as esturgeon. Royal fish in England, claimed by the Crown. It reached English by 1300s as sturgeon. Caviar comes from sturgeon roe. Today, sturgeon means a large fish whose eggs are eaten as caviar.

1. Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient sturjo "sturgeon", a Frankish word; the fish swam in North Sea rivers.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval esturgeon "sturgeon", royal fish in England, claimed by the Crown.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s sturgeon "sturgeon", caviar comes from sturgeon roe.