taupe

Where does the word "taupe" come from? It comes from Latin talpa, passing through French before entering English (1900s).

Taupe’s story begins in Latin: talpa meant “a mole.” A mole, the burrowing animal whose fur gave its name to a grey-brown color. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as taupe. Carried into French for the color of mole fur. It reached English by 1900s as taupe. French 'mole', from the colour of moleskin. Today, taupe means a brownish-grey color.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient talpa "a mole", a mole, the burrowing animal whose fur gave its name to a grey-brown color.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1800s taupe "a grey-brown color, the color of mole fur", carried into French for the color of mole fur.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s taupe "a grey-brown color", French 'mole', from the colour of moleskin.