November 11 is an important day. Do you know what it is? It’s Veterans Day!
The U.S. 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! Read on to learn where the word veteran came from. It’s our Word of the Week!
The term veteran comes from the Latin vetus. That means old. French speakers started to use 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. That means you have played 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 eventually became veterinum. That word was for an old animal that carried loads. The Latin veterinae also formed. That means old cattle. And the Latin word veterinarius was for a soldier who served as an animal surgeon!
All of these words share a similar history. Veterans Day does not celebrate animal doctors though. But since November 11, 1919, the United States has honored troops on that day. Will you thank a veteran this year?
Updated November 8, 2021, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Alexa Tirapelli
