'lady' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hlǣfdige', where 'hlāf' meant 'loaf' and 'dige' meant 'kneader'.

'hlǣfdige' transformed into the Middle English word 'lady', and eventually became the modern English word 'lady'.

Initially, it meant 'a woman of high rank', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a polite or formal way of referring to a woman'.