Autumn and Fall: The Origins of a Seasonal Name
Today marks the first day of autumn in Australia — a season associated with cooler air, changing colours, and preparation for winter. But the word *autumn* has a long linguistic history, and not every country uses the same name. In places like the United States, the season is more commonly called fall. Both terms have fascinating origins that reflect culture, language, and history.
The origin of the word “autumn”
Early English speakers did not originally use the word autumn at all. Instead, they called the season ‘harvest’. This reflected the agricultural importance of the time of year, when crops were collected and stored to prepare for winter. The word ‘harvest’ comes from the Old English ‘hærfest’, which simply meant the gathering of crops.
Over time, as English absorbed more words from Latin and French, ‘autumn’ gradually replaced ‘harvest’ as the formal name of the season.
The word autumn comes from the Latin autumnus; the Roman name for the season of harvest. The exact origin of autumnus is uncertain, but scholars believe it may be linked to words meaning ‘increase’ or ‘harvest’, reflecting the time when crops were gathered.
As Latin influenced European languages, the word evolved:
- Latin: autumnus
- Old French: automne
- Middle English: autumpne or automne
- Modern English: autumn
By the 14th century, autumn was widely used in English to describe the season between summer and winter.
Where did the word “fall” come from?
The word ‘fall’ originated in England during the 16th century. It was part of a longer phrase: “fall of the leaf.”
This phrase described the most visible natural event of the season — leaves falling from trees.
Eventually, people shortened the phrase to simply ‘fall’, and it became an accepted alternative name for the season.
Why some countries say “autumn” and others say “fall”
Both ‘autumn’ and ‘fall’ were used interchangeably in England for several centuries. When English settlers travelled to North America in the 17th century, they took both terms with them.
Over time:
- Britain and most Commonwealth countries (including Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand) continued using autumn
- The United States increasingly preferred fall
The American use of fall preserved an older English tradition that later became less common in Britain.
When autumn officially begins
There are two ways to define the start of autumn:
Meteorological autumn
Used by weather services for consistency:
- Begins on 1st March in Australia
- Includes March, April, and May
Astronomical autumn
Based on Earth’s position relative to the sun:
- Begins at the autumn equinox, usually around 20th March in Australia
The meaning of autumn today
Although modern life is less connected to farming, autumn still represents transition and preparation. It is a time when:
- Temperatures begin to cool
- Leaves change colour and fall
- Plants prepare for winter dormancy
- Many crops are harvested
The name itself still carries echoes of its ancient meaning — a season of gathering, change, and renewal.
