valet

Where does the word "valet" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin vassus, passing through Old French before entering English (1500s).

Valet’s story begins in Medieval Latin: vassus meant “servant.” A Celtic word, the same root as 'vassal'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vaslet. A young man in service to a lord. It reached English by 1500s as valet. Car 'valet' parking dates from the 1900s. Today, valet means a man's personal servant.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval vassus "servant", a Celtic word, the same root as 'vassal'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval vaslet "young man, servant", a young man in service to a lord.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s valet "personal servant", car 'valet' parking dates from the 1900s.