Etymology Map
Back to all words

Topic

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a matter dealt with in a text, discussion or conversation

Where does the word "topic" come from? It comes from Greek ta topika, passing through Latin before entering English (1630s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
ta topika
Greek · ancient
"matters of commonplaces"
Aristotle's work on 'topoi', commonplaces or stock arguments, from 'topos', place
2
Stage 2 of 3
topica
Latin · ancient
"topics"
Cicero wrote his own Topica
3
Stage 3 of 3
topic
English · 1630s
"a subject"
narrowed to the subject of a discussion
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Topic’s story begins in Greek: ta topika meant “matters of commonplaces.” Aristotle's work on 'topoi', commonplaces or stock arguments, from 'topos', place. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as topica. Cicero wrote his own Topica. It reached English by 1630s as topic. Narrowed to the subject of a discussion. Today, topic means a matter dealt with in a text, discussion or conversation.