Where does “euphemise” come from?
euphemise (English) comes from English euphemism, from Ancient Greek εὐφημισμός, from Ancient Greek εὐφημίζω, from Ancient Greek Εὔφημος, from Ancient Greek φήμη, from Proto-Hellenic pʰā́mā, from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂-meh₂, from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂-.
Ancestry of “euphemise”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | euphemism | The use of a word or phrase to replace another... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | εὐφημισμός | a euphemism |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | εὐφημίζω | to be well spoken |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | Εὔφημος | uttering sound of good omen |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | φήμη | prophetic voice, oracle; rumor; reputation |
| 6 | Proto-Hellenic | pʰā́mā | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂-meh₂ | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂- | to shine, glow light; to speak, say |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂-s-ri- | — |