Spy Covert
March 31st, 2010
Why is is espionage, not spionage?
It appears that the two roots are 'espy' and 'spy'. If you espy something, you just see or notice it. But if you spy on something (someone) you are covert. Yet somehow, the use becomes espionage. Must be a history here somewhere.
Espy is Victorian English.
Espionage is french.
Now that clears it up!
1793, from Fr. espionnage, from M.Fr. espionner "to spy," from O.Fr. espion "spy," probably from a Gmc. source akin to O.H.G. spehon "spy."
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=espionage
Recorded since 1793, from French espionnage, from Middle French espionner (“to spy”), from Old French espion (“spy”), itself probably from a Germanic source (akin to Old High German spehon "spy"), possibly via Italian spione (from spia).
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/espionage?rdfrom=Espionage
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/espionage?view=uk
ETYMOLOGY:
French espionnage, from espionner, to spy, from Old French espion, spy, from Old Italian spione, of Germanic origin
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/espionage
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