Word Origin & History
pillowO.E. pyle, from W.Gmc. *pulwi(n) (cf. M.Du. polu, O.H.G. pfuliwi, Ger. Pfühl), an early borrowing (2c. or 3c.) from L. pulvinus "cushion," of uncertain origin. The verb is first recorded 1629. Slang pillow talk first recorded 1939.