Origin and history of V.E.

c. 1300, victorie, "military supremacy or superiority achieved or proven in battle; defeat or overcoming of an antagonist in battle or a physical contest," from Anglo-French and Old French victorie (12c.) and directly from Latin victoria "victory," also name of a female deity of the Romans (identified with Greek Nikē), from past-participle stem of vincere "to overcome, conquer" (see vincible).

The adjective victorial "pertaining to or betokening victory" (c. 1400), from Latin victorialis, is useful, as victorian has a specialized sense.

Victory dance is attested by 1921. The victory garden, to provide food in war-time (1942) was a feature of the World War II homefront. V.E. ("victory in Europe") and V.J. ("victory in Japan") days in World War II were first used Sept. 2, 1944, by James F. Byrne, then U.S. director of War Mobilization [Washington Post, Sept. 10, 1944].

in V-J Day, "Victory in Japan Day," 1944; see V.E., and information under victory.