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Origin and history of vegan

vegan(n.)

1944, probably based on a modification of vegetarian; coined by English vegetarian Donald Watson (1910-2005) to distinguish those who abstain from all animal products (eggs, cheese, etc.) from those who merely refuse to eat the animals.

'Vegetarian' and 'Fruititarian' are already associated with societies that allow the 'fruits'(!) of cows and fowls, therefore it seems we must make a new and appropriate word. As this first issue of our periodical had to be named, I have used the title "The Vegan News". Should we adopt this, our diet will soon become known as a VEGAN diet, and we should aspire to the rank of VEGANS. [The Vegan News, No. 1, November 1944]

Earlier (19c.) one who also abstains from butter, eggs, milk, etc. might be a strict vegetarian.

also from 1944

Entries linking to vegan

vegetarian(n.)

"one who on principle abstains from meat and fish," 1839, irregular formation from vegetable (n.) + -arian, as in agrarian, etc. "The general use of the word appears to have been largely due to the formation of the Vegetarian Society in Ramsgate in 1847" [OED]. As an adjective, "of or pertaining to vegetarians; consisting entirely of vegetables," by 1849. An earlier adjective was anti-carnivorous (1828).

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