Curfew Question: Limitations on how late one can stay out is called "curfew". Where the word has come from? Answer: Curfew, which entered the English language around the 13th century, evolved from the French word couvrefeu which means "cover the fire". In the Middle Ages, in Europe, one of the officials in each town rang a bell at a designated hour in the evening to warn all the dwellers it was time to put out their fires. The danger of a few wayward sparks from an unattended hearth was too great to let these flames burn throughout the night. Putting out the fires meant it was time to put aside all the daytime activities and go to bed.