talk

Where does the word "talk" come from? It comes from Old English talu, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Talk’s story begins in Old English: talu meant “tale, account.” A story or account, the source of 'tale' and 'tell'. By 1100s-1400s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as talken. Formed around 1200 from 'tale' with a '-k' ending, as 'hark' was from 'hear'. It reached English by 1500s as talk. 'talkative' dates from the 1400s. Today, talk means to speak in order to give information or express ideas.

1. Stage 1 · Old English · 700s-1000s talu "tale, account", a story or account, the source of 'tale' and 'tell'.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1100s-1400s talken "to speak", formed around 1200 from 'tale' with a '-k' ending, as 'hark' was from 'hear'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s talk "to speak", 'talkative' dates from the 1400s.