Etymology Map
Back to all words

Tavla

4 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the Turkish name for backgammon

Where does the word "tavla" come from? It comes from Latin tabula, passing through Byzantine Greek and Turkish before entering English (1900s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
tabula
Latin · ancient
"board"
a board; Romans played a backgammon-like game called 'tabula'
2
Stage 2 of 4
tavli
Byzantine Greek · medieval
"backgammon"
the board game, still called 'tavli' in Greece
3
Stage 3 of 4
tavla
Turkish · 1500s
"backgammon"
played everywhere in Turkish coffeehouses
4
Stage 4 of 4
tavla
English · 1900s
"Turkish backgammon"
used in English for backgammon as played in Turkey
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Tavla’s story begins in Latin: tabula meant “board.” A board; Romans played a backgammon-like game called 'tabula'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Byzantine Greek as tavli. The board game, still called 'tavli' in Greece. From there it passed into Turkish as tavla by 1500s. Played everywhere in Turkish coffeehouses. It reached English by 1900s as tavla. Used in English for backgammon as played in Turkey. Today, tavla means the Turkish name for backgammon.