The essential takeaway: The word "Puff," borrowed from English in the 18th century, originally meant a "sudden emission of air," then evolved into an "emphatic and false announcement". Francized as "pouf" by Stendhal. Understanding its history allows one to easily identify deceptive advertisements. As early as 1732, it already referred to excessive praise.
Discover the etymology of 'puff': this term, borrowed from English in the 18th century, comes from the verb 'to puff,' an onomatopoeia from Old English 'pyffian' describing a sudden emission of air. Its sound origin allowed an evolution toward abstract meanings. In French, it denotes false announcements, charlatan deceptions, or vain acts, often denounced in the press or literature. Stendhal tried to francize it as 'pouf,' but 'puff' remained common to describe hollow speeches or deceptive advertisements, illustrating a fascinating transformation from a simple breath to shameless deception.
The English origin of the word "puff"
A linguistic borrowing from the 18th century
The term "Puff" is a direct borrowing from 18th-century English. It initially designated a sudden emission of air in the English language. This adoption reflects the linguistic exchanges of that historical period. The word was quickly integrated into French, retaining its original meaning.
The onomatopoeic root and the verb "to puff"
The etymology of the English word "puff" is onomatopoeic. It comes from the verb "to puff," meaning "to blow." In Old English, it was attested as "pyffian," imitating the sound of breath. This sound origin explains its use to describe rapid and sudden air movements, like a short and sudden breath.
- Borrowed from English in the 18th century
- Initially designated a "sudden emission of air"
- Derived from the verb "to puff" meaning "to blow"
- Onomatopoeic origin (Old English "pyffian")
The semantic evolution of the term in English
From "breath" to "excessive praise"
The term 'puff' is a borrowing from 18th-century English. Of onomatopoeic origin, it comes from the verb 'to puff,' meaning 'to blow.' Initially, it designated a 'sudden emission of air.' From the 16th century, it took a figurative meaning: 'empty or vain boasting.' Around 1732, its evolution included 'excessive praise' or excessive advertising, transforming the 'breath' into something light and exaggerated.
The pejorative meaning and vanity
By 1902, the term 'puff' referred to something vain, ridiculous, or pretentious. It highlights superficiality and lack of substance, like exaggerated promotion without foundation. This semantic evolution illustrates the deceptive use of the word to describe hollow speeches.
The adoption and first meanings in French
The "puff" as an "emphatic and false announcement"
Borrowed from English in the 18th century, puff initially meant a sudden emission of air. In French, it took on the meaning of an emphatic and false announcement. The Littré dictionary defines it as "charlatan deception, announcement to deceive." It describes puff as a lie turned speculation, accessible to all, circulating freely for society and industry. It includes the exaggerated boasts of poets, orators, and statesmen.
Francization by Stendhal and the term "pouf"
By extension, puff evokes a flashy, deceptive, and vain act. The writer Stendhal tried to francize this term as pouf, seeking to integrate it into the French lexicon.
- Emphatic and false announcement (old or literary register)
- Flashy, deceptive, and vain act (by extension)
- Francization as "pouf" by Stendhal
Dictionaries and etymological credibility
Historical references from Littré and CNRTL
Littré and CNRTL confirm the English borrowing of "puff" in the 18th century. First "sudden emission of air," it meant "charlatan deception" in French.
Wiktionary documentation
Wiktionary describes its onomatopoeic origin ("to puff" = to blow) and its evolution toward vanity. Stendhal francized it as "pouf" in the 19th century.
| Period | Language | Initial meaning | Evolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before 18th century | English | Onomatopoeia "pyffian" | Verb "to puff" (to blow) |
| 18th century | English | Sudden emission of air | Excessive praise (1732) |
| 18th century | French | English borrowing | False advertising |
| 19th century | French | Flashy act | Francized as "pouf" (Stendhal) |
The term "puff," borrowed from English in the 18th century, initially onomatopoeic for "breath," evolved toward pejorative meanings. In French, it denotes a false announcement or a vain act, francized by Stendhal as "pouf". Its evolutions illustrate the linguistic exchanges and semantic transformations between languages.
