# What are the origins of the word embarrass?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-word-embarrass/685384
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [April 4, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-word-embarrass/685384 "2014-04-04T23:56:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [April 4, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-word-embarrass/685384/1 "2014-04-04T23:56:37Z")
em bare ass has there ever been a more descriptive word that invokes its meaning?
The [prefix Em](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_prefixes)means to make into, to get into, or put into.
Is it just a bizarre coincidence that bare ass is part of a word that means…
[embarrass](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embarrass)
> [@](#):
>
> to make (someone) feel confused and foolish in front of other people
Any known word origins for this word?
I always think of somebody locked out of their hotel room in a towel as embarrassed.
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2014, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-word-embarrass/685384/2 "2014-04-05T00:11:45Z")
For all your English word origin needs, [etymonline.com](http://etymonline.com/index.php?term=embarrass&allowed_in_frame=0) is about as good as you can get without having access to the Oxford English Dictionary.
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2014, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-word-embarrass/685384/3 "2014-04-05T00:14:20Z")
Since the word comes from the French, there’s no connection with the Anglo-Saxon word “ass.”
Here’s what the OED says:
> [@OED](#):
>
> Pronunciation: Brit. /ɪmˈbarəs/ , /ɛmˈbarəs/ , U.S. /əmˈbɛrəs/ , /ɛmˈbɛrəs/
> Forms: … (Show More)
> Etymology: Apparently \< Μiddle French, French embarrasser, †embarasser to put (a person) in a difficult or awkward situation (a1571), to confuse, perplex (a person) (1580, originally used reflexively), to impede (a process, especially the normal use of something) (1690) \< Spanish embarazar (c1460), probably \< Portuguese embaraçar (15th cent.) \< em- em- prefix + baraço cord (1260; early 12th cent. as †baraza), apparently originally with reference to animals being restrained by a cord or leash; further etymology uncertain and disputed: see J. Corominas Diccionario critico etimológico castellano e hispánico (ed. 2, 1981) at embarazar.
> The French verb was probably first used in the Spanish Netherlands.
>
> With the α. forms compare im- prefix1, and also ( \< Spanish) Italian imbarazzare to hamper or impede (a person, action, or process), to block (a road or place) (a1600; compare imbarazzato hampered, obstructed (c1535)), to confuse, perplex (a person) (a1685).
>
> Sense 2b is not paralleled in French; in quot. 1684, rendering French embarrasser avec quelqu’un (reflexive) to become involved with (a person) (1669 in the passage translated, or earlier).
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### Author:  [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2014, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-word-embarrass/685384/4 "2014-04-05T00:21:37Z")
I always thought it had something to do with the Spanish word for pregnant.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2014, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-word-embarrass/685384/5 "2014-04-05T00:27:37Z")
That’s a good point. Embarazada sure looks like it came from the word embarrass.
It’s weird how words have such bizarre coincidences. I always try to put an “E” in embarrass because it sounds like bare ass.
How many people leave out the double “R”? I wish I had a dollar for every time spell check made me add that extra, stupid R. It’s just a weird spelling.
I guess it makes sense because its a french word. They are often spelled weird.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-word-embarrass/685384/6 "2014-04-05T00:48:43Z")
Thanks RealityChuck. The OED entry makes it clear the word’s origins aren’t related to what it sounds like.
It’s good to get that cleared up.