When speaking with a friend recently, our discussion turned to the term “brand new.” I wondered what its etymology was. “The term was originally ‘bran new,’ ” my friend said. “And that’s because, back in the day, bran—the pieces of grain husk separated from flour—was used to pack glasses, flatware, and fragile items that where shipped. So when you opened a package, there’d be bran on the new items. Hence,” he said, “bran new.”
Great explanation! But then questions started popping up. “So how did ‘bran new’ evolve into ‘brand new’?” I asked. “And does it have anything to do with cattle branding? Or brand in the sense of a company’s brand?”
My friend didn’t know. So began my research.
The term “brand new” has nothing to do with cattle or company’s brand. A branded cow isn’t necessary a new cow. And owning a brand name car doesn’t mean you own a brand new car.
As for “bran new” vs. “brand new,” the Oxford English Dictionary lists “bran new” as an accepted alternate form of “brand new.” So my friend’s story seemed to hold weight.
But as for the etymology of the terms, the most common explanation was based on the original meaning of “brand.” It referenced the burning or fire of a furnace, forge or kiln. So a “brand new” item was something fresh from the fires of creation, whether it be pottery or a sword.
Personally, I like the bran story better. So whether it’s fresh from the flame or covered in grain, the history of the term makes for interesting cocktail conversation.
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