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Tracing “”…
Where does the word "trouble" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin turbidare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "trouble" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin turbidare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Trouble’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: turbidare meant “to disturb.” From 'turbidus', muddy, the root of 'turbid' and 'disturb'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as trubler. Stirring up muddy water. It reached English by 1200s as trouble. 'in trouble' dates from the 1500s. Today, trouble means difficulty or problems; to cause worry.
- Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient turbidare "to disturb", from 'turbidus', muddy, the root of 'turbid' and 'disturb'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval trubler "to stir up", stirring up muddy water.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s trouble "to disturb", 'in trouble' dates from the 1500s.