Advertisement

Origin and history of nom

nom(n.)

French for "name" (9c.), from Latin nomen (see nominal). It is used in various phrases in English, such as nom de guerre (1670s) "fictitious name used by a person engaged in some action," literally "war name" and formerly in France a name taken by a soldier on entering the service, and nom de théâtre "stage name" (1874). Nom de plume (1823) "pseudonym used by a writer," literally "pen name," is a phrase invented in English in imitation of nom de guerre. Fowler suggests it is "ridiculous for English writers to use a French phrase that does not come from France."

Entries linking to nom

mid-15c., nominalle, "pertaining to nouns," from Latin nominalis "pertaining to a name or names," from nomen (genitive nominis) "name," which is cognate with Old English nama (from PIE root *no-men- "name"). Meaning "of the nature of names" (in distinction to things) is from 1610s. Meaning "being so in name only" is recorded from 1620s.

    Advertisement

    More to explore

    Share nom

    Advertisement
    Trending
    Advertisement