zoo

Where does the word "zoo" come from? It comes from Greek zōion, and was adopted directly into English (1847).

Zoo’s story begins in Greek: zōion meant “animal.” Greek, the root of 'zoology'. It reached English by 1847 as zoo. Short for London's 'Zoological Gardens', opened in 1828. Today, zoo means a place where animals are kept for display.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient zōion "animal", Greek, the root of 'zoology'.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1847 zoo "zoological garden", short for London's 'Zoological Gardens', opened in 1828.