Where does “jocular” come from?

Jocular comes from Latin iocularis, derived from Latin ioculus, which developed from Latin iocus, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European yokos and yek-.

jocular (English): Humorous, amusing or joking

Definitions

  1. Humorous, amusing or joking

Ancestry of “jocular”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latiniocularisfunny, jocular, amusing; facetious, laughable,...
2Latinioculusa little jest
3Latiniocusa joke, jest; a form of amusement; pastime, sport
4Proto-Italicjokosword, saying
5Proto-Indo-Europeanyokosword, utterance
6Proto-Indo-Europeanyek-to utter

Words derived from “jocular

Every word from Proto-Indo-European yek-
jocular — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer