Congressman
/ˈkɑːŋ.ɡrəs.mən/noun
A member of the United States House of Representatives or, less commonly, a member of another legislative congress.
Did you know?The Latin ancestor of “congress” could mean both meeting together and sexual intercourse, while “congressman” itself emerged much later as a political title.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰreh₁dʰ-
“To walk or step; the ancestral root behind later words involving steps and movement.”
Classical Latin
Latin
gradus
“A step, ступень, or degree; the source of the English family built around “grad-.””
Classical Latin
Latin
congredī
“To come together or meet, literally moving or stepping together; it could also refer to encountering someone in conflict or sexual union.”
Late Latin
Latin
congressus
“A meeting, encounter, or coming together; also used for sexual intercourse.”
15th Century
English
congress
“A meeting or assembly; the older sexual sense also entered English, though it is now archaic.”
18th Century
English
Congressman
“A man serving as a member of the United States Congress; the compound combines “Congress” with “man.””
Modern English
English
congressman
“A member of Congress, especially a member of the U.S. House of Representatives; “representative” is increasingly preferred as a gender-neutral title.”