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Where does the word "tonic" come from? It comes from Greek tonikos, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).
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Where does the word "tonic" come from? It comes from Greek tonikos, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).
Tonic’s story begins in Greek: tonikos meant “of stretching.” Greek, from 'tonos', tension. It reached English by 1640s as tonic. 'tonic water' dates from the 1800s. Today, tonic means a medicine that invigorates; a mixer drink.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient tonikos "of stretching", Greek, from 'tonos', tension.
- Stage 2 · English · 1640s tonic "strengthening", 'tonic water' dates from the 1800s.