tavern

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

Tavern’s story begins in Latin: taberna meant “hut, shop.” Possibly from 'trabs', beam, a structure of planks; also gives 'tabernacle'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as taverne. Narrowed to a shop selling wine. It reached English by 1200s as tavern. In England it sold drink, while inns also offered lodging. Today, tavern means an inn or pub serving drinks.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient taberna "hut, shop", possibly from 'trabs', beam, a structure of planks; also gives 'tabernacle'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval taverne "wine shop", narrowed to a shop selling wine.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s tavern "a public house", in England it sold drink, while inns also offered lodging.