zeppelin

Where does the word "zeppelin" come from? It comes from German Zeppelin, passing through German before entering English (1900 onward).

Zeppelin’s story begins in German: Zeppelin meant “a family surname.” A surname taken from the village of Zepelin in northern Germany. Within German, it grew into Zeppelinschiff by 1900. Named for Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, who perfected the rigid airship's design. It reached English by 1900 onward as zeppelin. Shortened and adopted into English for any rigid airship. Today, zeppelin means a large cigar-shaped rigid airship.

1. Stage 1 · German · 1286 Zeppelin "a family surname", a surname taken from the village of Zepelin in northern Germany.
2. Stage 2 · German · 1900 Zeppelinschiff "Zeppelin's airship", named for Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, who perfected the rigid airship's design.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900 onward zeppelin "a large rigid airship", shortened and adopted into English for any rigid airship.