xenophobia

Where does the word "xenophobia" come from? It comes from Greek xenos, passing through Greek before entering English (1900s).

Xenophobia’s story begins in Greek: xenos meant “stranger, foreigner.” Greek 'xenia', hospitality to strangers, was a sacred duty under Zeus. Within Greek, it grew into phobos by ancient. Fear, panic. It reached English by 1900s as xenophobia. Formed from Greek xenos (stranger) and phobos (fear). Today, xenophobia means a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient xenos "stranger, foreigner", Greek 'xenia', hospitality to strangers, was a sacred duty under Zeus.
2. Stage 2 · Greek · ancient phobos "fear", fear, panic.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s xenophobia "fear or dislike of strangers or foreigners", formed from Greek xenos (stranger) and phobos (fear).