Etymology Map
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Zoo

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a place where animals are kept for display

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

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

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.