From names to wordsMyths & disputes

panic

Panic is the fear sent by Pan, the goat-legged god whose unseen noises in lonely places were blamed for sudden, groundless terror in herds, armies and crowds. French panique carried the word across Europe, and English carried it on to Japan and Korea.

Weakest linkCertain

The story you may have heard

Pan's name is often said to mean 'all' (Greek pân), making panic 'fear of everything'; the god's name is a separate word, probably from a root meaning 'to guard (flocks)'.

The road to English

From Ancient Greek to Modern Greek

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From French to Polish, Russian, Modern Hebrew

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300 BCEAncient Greek

Hops are evenly spaced; labels show the year each form is first attested.

The road to English

From French to Polish, Russian, Modern Hebrew

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