Milky Way

The story

1. Ancient Greek · calque ofγαλαξίας
2. Latin · calque ofVia Lactea
3. Middle English · inherited fromMilky Wey
4. English todayMilky Way

From Middle English Milky Wey, a calque of Latin Via Lactea (literally “milky road”), a calque of Ancient Greek γαλαξίας (galaxías), referring to its appearance as a pale band of stars across the sky. Compare also Old Norse Mjólkrhringr (“Milky Way”, literally “milk-ring, milk-circle”). The reference to the galaxy is an extension of the second sense.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from mid 19th c. The Milky Way Galaxy, the galaxy in which Earth is located.
• from late 14th c. A broad band of diffuse white light, visible in the night sky; our view of the dense portions of the Milky Way Galaxy from inside the galaxy.