1. Ancient Egyptian "papyrus":
The story begins with the ancient Egyptians, who developed a writing material from the papyrus plant. The Egyptians called this material "papyrus," which was derived from the Greek word "πάπυρος" (papyros).
2. Latin "papyrus":
The word "papyrus" was adopted into Latin, the language of the Roman Empire, where it remained as "papyrus."
3. Old French "papier":
The word "papyrus" eventually transitioned to Old French, where it became "papier." This French word, "papier," directly reflects the Latin "papyrus."
4. Middle English "paper":
Finally, the word "papier" was adopted into Middle English as "paper," which is the form we use today.
Summary:
The word "paper" has a long and interesting journey, starting with the ancient Egyptians and their papyrus plant, then passing through Greek, Latin, Old French, and finally into Middle English. It is a reminder of the interconnectedness of languages and the evolution of words over time.