English
High Street
High Street comes from Middle English Highestrete.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500Highestrete
- Englishearliest quotation 2024High Street
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500Highestrete
- Englishearliest quotation 2024High Street
Earliest quotation: 2024, 'Industry Insider', Success built on liberalisation and market freedom: “This is a result of a switch from High…”
The story
The everyday-people sense is by metonymy.
Every English word from Middle English Highestrete
Today it means
name The proper name of the high street in any of many villages, towns, or cities, especially in the United Kingdom and certain Commonwealth countries.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English Highestrete / High Street