'pun' originates from English (first recorded in the late 17th century); its ultimate origin is uncertain, but it may be related to dialectal or jocular formations referring to a 'point' or 'small emphasis' (compare Italian 'puntiglio' meaning 'a fine point').

'pun' appears in early modern English slang and developed as a short, jocular term for a verbal 'point' or 'play on words', eventually stabilizing as the modern noun and verb 'pun'.

Initially associated with a small pointed remark or a jocular turn of speech, the word's sense narrowed and specialized into the modern meaning 'a play on words' or 'a witty/cheap wordplay'.