Pedagogue
/ˈpɛd.əˌɡɒɡ/noun
A teacher or educator, especially one who is strict or overly formal.
Did you know?The ancient Greek *paidagōgós* was not a teacher at all but usually a household attendant who escorted a boy to lessons, which is why the word still carries a strict, old-school authority vibe.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
paidagōgós
“a slave or attendant who led a child to school and supervised him”
Late Greek
Gk
paidagōgos
“a tutor or guardian of children”
Latin
Lat
paedagogus
“a tutor, teacher”
Middle English
ME
pedagoge
“a teacher or tutor”
Modern English
Eng
pedagogue
“a teacher, especially one who is pedantic or formal”
Explore more surprising origins