Etymology Map
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Tailor

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a person who makes and alters clothes to fit; to adapt for a purpose

Where does the word "tailor" come from? It comes from Late Latin taliare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
taliare
Late Latin · ancient
"to cut"
from 'talea', a cutting or twig; the same root gives 'detail' and 'tally'
2
Stage 2 of 3
tailleor
Old French · medieval
"cutter"
a cutter of cloth, as distinct from those who sewed it
3
Stage 3 of 3
tailor
English · 1200s
"a maker of clothes"
the verb 'to tailor', adapt to fit, came much later
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Read the full story

Tailor’s story begins in Late Latin: taliare meant “to cut.” From 'talea', a cutting or twig; the same root gives 'detail' and 'tally'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tailleor. A cutter of cloth, as distinct from those who sewed it. It reached English by 1200s as tailor. The verb 'to tailor', adapt to fit, came much later. Today, tailor means a person who makes and alters clothes to fit; to adapt for a purpose.