philanderer

[Archived Topic]

Where does the word PHILANDERER come from?

Submitted by Colette Dorais (charlotte - U.S.A.)

[Jonathon Green]

Philander/philanderer copmes from Greek philandros, loving or fond of men, (of a woman) loving her husband, itself from philo-, loving and aneir, man, male, husband; hence it became used as a proper name in story, drama, dialogue; in later use especially for a lover (perhaps misunderstood as = a loving man).