Blame
/bleɪm/noun
To assign responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing; also, that responsibility itself.
Did you know?English blame comes through Old French from Latin *blasphemare*, the same root behind *blasphemy*—so its oldest history is tangled with accusation, outrage, and sacred offense.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
βλασφημεῖν (blasphēmein)
“to speak evil of, slander, revile”
Late Latin
LL
blasphemare
“to revile, speak irreverently of”
Old French
OF
blamer
“to blame, censure, condemn”
Middle English
ME
blamen
“to censure, find fault with”
Modern English
English
blame
“to hold responsible for a fault or offense”
Explore more surprising origins