touch

Where does the word "touch" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin toccare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Touch’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: toccare meant “to knock, strike.” An imitative Vulgar Latin word, like 'tok' for a knock. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tochier. Also gave Italian 'toccata', a piece showing off the performer's touch. It reached English by 1300s as touch. 'touch base' and 'in touch' came in the 1900s. Today, touch means to come into contact with.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient toccare "to knock, strike", an imitative Vulgar Latin word, like 'tok' for a knock.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval tochier "to touch, hit", also gave Italian 'toccata', a piece showing off the performer's touch.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s touch "to make contact", 'touch base' and 'in touch' came in the 1900s.