Pedo
/ˈpiː.doʊ/noun
An informal and offensive shortening of “pedophile,” referring to a person sexually attracted to children.
Did you know?The source term “pedophile” combines Greek paidion, “child,” with philos, “loving” or “fond of,” though modern English uses it specifically for sexual attraction to children.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
παῖς (pais), παιδός (paidos)
“Child; a young person”
Ancient Greek
Greek
παιδόφιλος (paidophilos)
“Child-loving or fond of children; later used in clinical terminology for sexual attraction to children”
19th Century
German
Pädophilie
“Pedophilia; a modern medical and psychological term formed from Greek roots”
19th Century
French
pédophile
“Pedophile; a person sexually attracted to children”
Late 19th–20th Century
English
pedophile
“A person sexually attracted to children”
Late 20th–21st Century
English
pedo
“Informal clipped form of “pedophile,” generally used as an insult or accusation”
Explore more surprising origins