An important day is coming up on November 11. Do you know what it is? It’s Veterans Day in the United States!
The holiday honors people who served in America’s armed services. That includes members of the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force. These people risked their lives for the United States. Let’s honor them by learning what a veteran is and where the word came from. Veteran is our Word of the Week!
The term veteran comes from the Latin vetus for old. French speakers started to use the term vétéran. That means experienced soldier.
In the 1500s, people started to use the word veteran. It described someone who has experience in a certain field. For example, you may be a veteran football player if you have played the sport for a long time.
The roots of “veteran” may also be tied to other words. They include “veterinarian.” A veterinarian is an expert at taking care of animals. The Latin vetus (where veteran comes from) eventually became veterinum. That word was for an old animal, such as a horse or donkey, that carried loads. The Latin veterinae also formed, meaning old cattle. And the Latin word veterinarius was for a soldier who served as an animal surgeon!
While all of these words share a similar history, Veterans Day does not celebrate animal doctors. But since November 11, 1919, the United States has honored troops on that day. Will you take some time to say a few words about veterans this year?
Updated November 8, 2021, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Alexa Tirapelli
