trivial

Where does the word "trivial" come from? It comes from Latin trivialis, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Trivial’s story begins in Latin: trivialis meant “of the crossroads, common.” From 'trivium', a place where three roads meet: commonplace talk. It reached English by 1400s as trivial. Medieval schools' 'trivium' of basic subjects added the sense of elementary. Today, trivial means of little importance.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient trivialis "of the crossroads, common", from 'trivium', a place where three roads meet: commonplace talk.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s trivial "commonplace", medieval schools' 'trivium' of basic subjects added the sense of elementary.