Word Origin & History
guidelate 14c., from O.Fr. guider "to guide, lead, conduct," from Frankish *witan "show the way," from P.Gmc. *wit- "to know" (cf. Ger. weisen "to show, point out," O.E. witan "to see"). The French word influenced by O.Prov. guidar (n.) "guide, leader," from the same source. The noun meaning "one who shows
the way" first recorded mid-14c. In 18c. France, a "for Dummies" or "Idiot's Guide to" book would be a guid' âne, lit. "guide-ass."