Panic (English)

Where does "Panic" come from?

The word originates from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'protecting,' which led to the name of the Ancient Greek god Pan, the protector of shepherds and nature. After passing through Latin and Middle English, the name was combined with the suffix '-ic' to describe things pertaining to this goat-legged deity. Today, while it often refers to sudden fear, in this context it remains a direct link to the mythical pipes and spirit of Pan himself.

Direct ancestors

• Pan (English)

Updated May 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris