Friday, 3 January 2025

Do you speak a little French when you say 'ribald'?

'Ribald' is a word borrowed from French 'ribauld'. The word entered the English language some time around the 13th century.


ribald [noun] [13th century]
A ribald person
See 'ribald' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from French.

Etymology: Middle English 'ribaud' person of low status, scoundrel, lecher, from Anglo-French, from Old French 'riber' to be debauched, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German 'rīban' to be in heat, copulate, literally, to rub
See more loan words from 1200s.


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