The Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues explores the fascinating etymology of the word “prestige”. Originally, in the seventeenth century, it meant “deception”. Over time, its meaning evolved to convey notions of “illusion” or “glamour”, eventually becoming synonymous with reputation and influence. The term originates from Latin praestigium, which meant “delusion”. This word is a combination of the prefix prae-, meaning “before”, and “stringere”, meaning “to bind” (forming the concept of “blindfolding”, metaphorically speaking). The prefix prae- stems from the Proto-Indo-European root per, meaning “forward”, while stringere, also found in words like “restrict” and “strain”, derives from Proto-Indo-European streig, which can mean “rub” or “press”.
