Published 2026-09-24

far-fetched

Follow “far-fetched” through time. Which part surprised you? #words #vocabulary

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   A WORD’S STORY: Where did “far-fetched” come from?. Meaning: So exaggerated or unlikely that it is difficult to believe.
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   WHERE IT BEGAN: First, the origin of “far-fetched”. English formed far-fetched from far and the past participle of fetch. It first described something brought from a distant place or time.

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   THE CONNECTION: Here’s the connection. An argument whose explanation had to be fetched from far away seemed strained and unnatural. That figurative remoteness produced the modern sense improbable.

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   NOW YOU KNOW: “far-fetched”. Meaning: So exaggerated or unlikely that it is difficult to believe.
   Try five words in the free daily game: lexifour.com.
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