When you say 'pantomime' are you speaking French?

'Pantomime' is a word borrowed from French 'pantomime'. The word entered the English language some time around 1589.

pantomime [noun] [1589]

• pantomimist
• an ancient Roman dramatic performance featuring a solo dancer and a narrative chorus
• any of various dramatic or dancing performances in which a story is told by expressive bodily or facial movements of th...
• a British theatrical entertainment of the Christmas season based on a nursery tale and featuring topical songs, tableau...

See 'pantomime' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from French.

Etymology: Latin 'pantomimus' from 'pant-' + 'mimus' mime

See more loan words from 1500s.