out of the closet...

[Birchy]

What is the origin of the word "cupboard"?

[incitatus]

This is going to be disappointing, Im afraid. Its a board you keep cups on. Honest. Or at least thats one of the derivations (I think there is argument about it.) Board originally meant Table (or closer would be buffet...A sideboard was a table kept at the side of the room with cold cuts on it in case guests got the munchies) This is the derivation of board and lodging. So a cupboard was a free standing table-like object for the storage of cups.