tantalize

Where does the word "tantalize" come from? It comes from Greek Tantalos, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).

Tantalize’s story begins in Greek: Tantalos meant “the mythical king Tantalus.” A king condemned to stand in water beneath fruit he could never reach. It reached English by 1590s as tantalize. Coined from the myth for the torment of desiring something just out of reach. Today, tantalize means to torment someone by showing them something desirable but keeping it out of reach.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient Tantalos "the mythical king Tantalus", a king condemned to stand in water beneath fruit he could never reach.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1590s tantalize "to torment with something desired but unattainable", coined from the myth for the torment of desiring something just out of reach.