E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Prestige.
This word has a strangely metamorphosed meaning. The Latin prœstig’iœ means juggling tricks, hence prestidig’itateur’ (French), one who juggles with his fingers. We use the word for that favourable impression which results from good antecedents. The history of the change is this: Juggling tricks were once considered a sort of enchantment; to enchant is to charm, and to charm is to win the heart.
