Ever wonder where the word goggles comes from? It’s pretty funny-sounding, when you think about it. And it’s history is rather amusing too.

Goggle began life not as a noun, but as a verb. It dates from the 1530s, coming from the Middle English with a meaning of “to roll the eyes.” In Middle English, the word had also come to mean squint-eyed. Why? Because of a mis-translation from Latin! The Latin term actually meant “one-eyed.” So…close? LOL

It’s because of this clear association with eyes, though, that we eventually arrive at our current meaning. Goggles as a noun meaning “spectacles; protective eye-wear” dates from 1715!

As for swimming goggles, various items have been used over the centuries, but the evolution of what we think of today started in 1911, when a swimmer used motorcycle goggles swam across the English Channel. They were leaky, but clearly the concept caught on! In 1926 the first female to swim the English Channel improved on that design, adding a paraffin seal for waterproofing. And in 1936 the first patent was filed for waterproof goggles made for swimming.

Word Nerds Merch!