Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “scorecard” come from?

Scorecard is a compound of score and card, where card derives from Middle French cardinal, Latin charta meaning paper, and ultimately Proto-Indo-European roots relating to cutting or scratching.

scorecard (English): A printed card allowing spectators of a game to...

Definitions

  1. A printed card allowing spectators of a game to...

Ancestry of “scorecard”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcardA playing card; Any game using playing cards; a...
2Middle Englishcardeplaying card
3Old FrenchcarteAlternative form of chartre
4Latinchartapapyrus, paper; poem, a writing; map
5Frenchcartela cartel
6Italiancartellosign, notice, placard, signboard; signpost, road...
7Italiancartapaper; map; menu
8Latincartapapyrus; letter etc
9Ancient Greekχάρτηςsheet of paper, paper; book
10Ancient Greekχαράσσωto sharpen; to engrave, carve, write, draw, stamp
11Proto-Indo-Europeanǵʰer-to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰer- →